PARAPRA1 Clinical Studies 1 Course description

The courses PARAPRA1 and PARAPRA2AB comprise supervised clinical training, mainly in the ambulance service. The learning outcomes from all the previous courses are updated, integrated, tested in clinical training and form the basis for the development of new theoretical and practical competence.

The learning outcomes are very similar for the two clinical training courses. They are achieved by participation in a variety of ambulance call-outs to patients with different injuries and diseases. The student is expected to show progress, take responsibility and, to an increasing extent, make independent assessments in prehospital work.

Passed the first year of the programme. Students must also have passed PARA1500 Drug Calculations before they can start the course.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of tools and methods used in lifesaving measures in clinical ambulance activities
• has knowledge of the ambulance and the most commonly used equipment
• has knowledge of the organisation of the ambulance service
• is capable of explaining the effect basic lifesaving diagnosis and treatment can have on the planning and performance of clinical ambulance activities
• is familiar with patient record documentation systems
• has knowledge of the storage and administration of drugs in the ambulance service
• is familiar with research in prehospital emergency medicine

Skills

The student can, under supervision,

• recognise signs and symptoms of possible serious illness or injury
• use simple standardised examinations and treatment guidelines
• plan, assess and carry out treatment measures adapted to the individual patient's needs
• assess the need to obtain assistance or refer the patient
• write ambulance patient records in accordance with the guidelines
• use the most common equipment available in the ambulance
• explore professional issues in a systematic, evidence-based and reflective manner
• document in writing and evaluate his/her own work in accordance with the practical training institution's procedures and guidelines
• use his/her transfer technique skills

General competence

The student

• can under supervision organise his/her own work and maintain order and hygiene
• can under supervision initiate patient treatment in order of priority in accordance with the applicable legislation, framework conditions and professional ethics guidelines
• demonstrates a willingness and ability to make use of supervision and feedback
• demonstrates empathy, care, understanding and respect in relation to patients, next of kin and colleagues
• is capable of identifying his/her own knowledge needs, demonstrating insight in relation to his/her own learning needs and obtaining new knowledge and skills
• is capable of reflecting on interdisciplinary cooperation
• can under supervision report patient information to other cooperating health personnel

The work and teaching methods comprise skills training in transfer techniques, supervised clinical training, group supervision approx. every four weeks organised by the contact lecturer at OsloMet, and writing reflection notes.

Practical training

Twelve weeks of clinical training and one week of practical training preparations. The content of the practical training periods will vary with the activities at the institution where the practical training takes place at any time, and will therefore offer varied arenas for clinical training in terms of problems, diagnoses and complexity.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can receive the final assessment:

• submitted and signed practical training document

• 3 individual reflection notes of 1,000 words (+/- 10%) each. If the student takes driving instruction as part of PARAPRA1, the required coursework is two reflection notes of 1,000 words (+/- 10%).

Assessment content: The learning outcomes

Form of assessment: Midway and final assessment

Pass/fail. A compulsory attendance requirement applies to clinical training. Students must make up for absence exceeding 10% by agreement with the practical training supervisor and the practical training institution. If a student's absence exceeds 20%, he/she will fail the course.

The midway and final assessments are made by the practical training supervisor. The university contact lecturer will contribute to the midway and final assessment on the basis of the criteria described in the clinical training manual. The final decision on whether to award a pass or fail grade is made by the university.