PANEL OF EXPERTS RAISE VITAL POINTS ON WHAT PARAMEDICS DO

To mark International Paramedics Day on 8 July, the Irish Paramedicine Education & Research Network (IPERN) hosted a panel discussion on the different and diverse roles in Irish paramedicine. Ann-Marie Bright, Assistant Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Limerick and Lead of the IPERN Mental Health Special Interest Group, provides an overview.

The panel included a diverse range of experts who work in the paramedicine field, such as Ann McDermott – Community Paramedic (National Ambulance Service), Damien Gaumont – Critical Care Paramedic (National Ambulance Service), Dorett Fuelgraff – Community First Responder (Killarney CFR), Eamonn Byrne – Paramedic Researcher (Trinity College Dublin), Fearghal Murphy – Student Paramedic (Dublin Fire Brigade) and Phillip Wren –Flight Paramedic/Technical Crewman (Irish Coast Guard).

Discussions started with what people enjoyed about their roles: ‘autonomy’ and ‘problem solving’ were among the positives of working as a community paramedic as described by Ann McDermott, while Dorett Fuelgraff described “giving back to the community” as what she enjoyed best about #WhatParamedicsDo. Critical Care Paramedic, Damien Gaumont discussed the importance of learning how other healthcare professionals do their job. He also identified that the idea that paramedics are mere ambulance ‘drivers’ is starting to disappear. There were many discussions around the professional identity of those working in paramedicine and the need for paramedics to be involved and to contribute to inter-professional education and similar initiatives, to help increase a general understanding of #WhatParamedicsDo.

Critical Care Paramedic, Damien Gaumont discussed the importance of learning how other healthcare professionals do their job. He also identified that the idea that paramedics are mere ambulance ‘drivers’ is starting to disappear. There were many discussions around the professional identity of those working in paramedicine and the need for paramedics to be involved and to contribute to inter-professional education and similar initiatives, to help increase a general understanding of #WhatParamedicsDo.

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