Emergency services students work together to save lives

Paramedics 

The moment a call to triple zero is placed, the clock is ticking and it's up to the emergency services to help as best they can. From the paramedics who arrive on the scene, to the emergency physicians, surgeons and nurses that help save lives and start the recovery process, emergency health professionals are at the frontline of our health system.

In order to improve the flow of knowledge between the different disciplines while still at uni, students from Paramedicine, Medicine and Nursing at Western Sydney University organised and implemented their own event to test their skills and educate each other.

Paramedicine student and co-organiser Louis Shabella says the networking event centred on students of the three professions sharing their skills and demonstrating their abilities to their future co-workers.

"The event was designed to encourage interaction between the three professions and achieving the goal of collaborative patient centred care," says Louis.

"When we get out into the professional workplace we will be aware of our clinical abilities and how we work so that way we can work more cohesively with each other to achieve patient care."

Co-organiser and fellow paramedicine student John Quach says the event gave participants an insight in how to best work with each other in the professional workplace.

"We seem to have a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to treating patients, and it's important we look at the patient's journey as an overall picture," says John.

"Our jobs all work together from the time a patient calls triple zero, to when the ambulance comes and all the way to them being taken to hospital and treated. The emphasis was on learning from each other and was well-supported by our three schools."

Medicine 

Nursing student Jake Ryan says he chose the degree as he wants to help care for patients when they need it most.

"I was a tradesman before moving into nursing, and the plan is to work in the emergency department once I graduate. It's a mix of everything, you get to provide care in a timely manner, see the effects of the care you're providing and look after someone who's at their weakest," says Jake.

"This event gives us the chance to show what we as nurses can do and how we fit into the role as a healthcare provider. We work as a multidisciplinary team to provide patient care so it's good to be involved in what the other schools do."

Medical student Leilani Doorbinnia says the event has given her the opportunity to work alongside the professions she will liaise with during her career.

"Medical school has already been an expansive learning experience, however events like this really adds a unique dimension that is not emphasized on placement – that is, interaction with our fellow health professionals from other disciplines," says Leilani.

"At the moment, I'm more inclined towards the Physician or GP route. I was able to get a taste of emergency medicine this year as one of my placements, and it was definitely my favourite rotation."

For paramedicine student Louis, who helped organise the networking event, this is hopefully just the first of many successful collaborations.

"In my career I am keen to be an advocate for collaborative emergency and low acuity clinical work where doctors, nurses and paramedics work together to deliver the best and most efficient care possible to our patients."

"But in doing so I'd like to keep that paramedic base and promote some educational initiatives which incorporates all three of the emergency professions."

Ends

18 October 2016

Elliott Richardson - Media Unit