The Paramedic Practitioner Programme: the General Practice Training Placement

The Paramedic Practitioner Programme: The General Practice Training Placement

What is a Paramedic Practitioner?

The 2005 Department of Health publication Taking Healthcare to the Patient suggested that half of all patients that the ambulance service takes to hospital could be treated at the scene of the incident or in their residence. South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust [SECAmb] is redressing this balance by the introduction of a new type of clinician called the Paramedic Practitioner. Equipped with greater knowledge and assessment skills, they are able to diagnose and manage a much wider range of the less serious clinical problems presenting in primary care, as well as appropriately liaise and refer patients onto other healthcare professions, therefore potentially reducing the need for them to attend a busy A&E Department. Their role will complement, enhance, but not replace the existing provision for urgent, unscheduled and out of hours primary healthcare.

Why a General Practice Training Placement?

Following a two year pilot, conducted in a HEKSS GP training practice with PP students with a variety of different educational experiences a PP Curriculum has been developed. GP Trainers will recognise the similarities between the approach taken with the PP curriculum and the RCGP Curriculum, particularly with the work placed based assessment tools.

The PP Curriculum places importance on the two month GP Training Practice placement as it allows the development in the following areas: • Acute presentations in GP in Primary Care: – working in different environments. – clinical assessment, management, – communication, continuity of care. • Consulting skills: – GP models vs traditional medical model • Clinical examination skills: – beyond traditional paramedic training • Treatment skills: – minor abscess drainage, – Appropriate medicine management using Clinical Management Plans (CMP)s & Patient Group Directives (PGD)s, – ‘The paramedic as the drug’ • Team-working in primary care teams • Familiarisation with GP IT systems • Introduction of the Generalist Role

The Evaluation of the Pilot project and be downloaded from the resources list on this page.

Involving GPStRs in Paramedic Practitioner training

The RCGP Curriculum Statement 3.7 Teaching Mentoring and Clinical Supervision now specifically identifies that doctors in training should contribute to teaching and assessing clinical skills of other health professionals. Feedback from participating practices confirms that GPStRs relish this role and of course are familiar with workplace based assessment tools. It also gives GPStRs the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills required as part of their GP training programme.

What is needed by the GP Training Practice?

To provide the same learning environment for PP students as for doctors in training, this includes:  Preparation and induction for first 2 weeks of placement  Planning a weekly timetable  Teaching support  Student PP learning needs assessment using familiar WPBA tools  Completing a WBA Clinical Supervisor’s Report.

How to become involved in Paramedic Practitioner training

If you would like to become involved in hosting Paramedic Practitioners for their General Practice training placement please contact Pauline Smith at HEKSS office: [email protected] or complete the Expression of Interest form.

You will be invited to an induction meeting that will be open to GP Trainers, Practice Managers and GPStRs. This meeting will provide further details of the training programme for Paramedic Practitioners and give the opportunity for any questions you have to be addressed.