Paramedic Continuing Professional Development
Annabel Bennett
Dr Natalia Bilton
Dr Ruth Townsend
Mr Robert Bear
The project
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How much do you know about the purpose of your compulsory registration obligations?
We are looking for qualified paramedics, currently registered with AHPRA and working in Australia.
This study aims to investigate how Australian paramedics currently understand the purpose of the mandatory CPD requirements required for registration, how this relates to paramedic professionalism, and the professionalisation of paramedicine.
Australian Paramedics' Understanding of CPD
Professional registration of Australian paramedics commenced 1st December 2018, through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Paramedics are now required to adhere to common professional registration standards including participation in and, the maintenance of, continued professional development (CPD) (Williams & Edlington, 2019).
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There is however a gap in the literature with regards to our knowledge of Australian paramedics’ understanding of the purpose of compulsory CPD requirements and what this means for paramedic professionalism and the professionalisation of paramedicine in Australia. The findings of this research will contribute to the currently limited body of knowledge concerning paramedic CPD and professionalism and have the potential to assist educators and paramedic professionals in their commitment to improving patient care.
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No ambulance organisation or university will be aware of who has participated in the study.
What is CPD
What is the purpose of the study
How can I get involved?
Participation in this research involves an interview (approximately an hour of your time) via Zoom or other agreed means in keeping with COVID-19 pandemic risk mitigation. The interview will be audio-recorded and later transcribed for analysis. The interviews will be confidential. The interview will comprise of a set of open-ended questions that will explore your understanding of CPD and the purpose of mandatory CPD requirements.
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If you are interested in participating in this study, please click on the below link 'Express Interest in the Study'. You will be redirected to another site where you will be asked to complete a short 1 minute questionnaire about yourself. This is to ensure we select participants from diverse backgrounds and reduce risk of bias.
The Paramedicine Board of Australia (2018) defines CPD as the means by which members of the paramedic profession maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise, and competence and develop the personal qualities required throughout their professional lives.
This research will produce a clear analysis of the current legal doctrine covering CPD requirements for paramedic professional registration in Australia. Secondly, this study will produce contemporary information about the current understanding of the purpose of CPD from individual paramedics, how this relates to paramedic professionalism and the professionalisation of paramedicine. This will help identify ways in which CPD may be able to provide the most benefit for paramedics, patients and the profession as a whole.