Interprofessional peer assisted learning: Paramedic students learning falls assessments from Occupational Therapy...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Learning
• Paramedicine

Background:

• Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is an effective strategy for undergraduate healthcare students.
• Interprofessional PAL between paramedics and allied health students is under-researched.
• Paramedic programs are increasingly adopting PAL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a pilot interprofessional PAL intervention for final-year paramedic students.
• To assess the impact of occupational therapy (OT) peer instructors on paramedic students' skills in falls risk assessment.
• To determine the effectiveness of interprofessional PAL in enhancing paramedic students' knowledge and confidence.

Main Methods:

• A pilot educational intervention was conducted with final-year undergraduate paramedic students.
• Occupational Therapy (OT) peer instructors facilitated a session on falls risk assessment.
• Direct feedback was provided to paramedic students during a case simulation.

Main Results:

• Paramedic students reported improved knowledge and confidence in performing falls risk assessments.
• The intervention demonstrated the value of interprofessional PAL in skill acquisition.
• Occupational therapy expertise enhanced paramedic students' understanding of elderly patient care.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a valuable teaching modality for undergraduate paramedic programs.
• This study supports the integration of interprofessional PAL to enhance healthcare students' skills and confidence.
• Further research into interprofessional PAL in healthcare education is warranted.