Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice
An indispensable guide for aspiring paramedics and emergency medical professionals
Paramedic practice is swiftly evolving, driven by changes in the paramedic curriculum. To meet the growing demands of the community, student paramedics and clinicians working in out-of-hospital care must stay abreast of this rapid evolution.
Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice, Third Edition contributes to driving the profession forward and provides a comprehensive, accessible text authored by experienced paramedics and academics. This third edition has undergone comprehensive updates, introducing new chapters that provide students and recently registered practitioners with a vital overview of the theory and practice of contemporary paramedicine. This is an essential resource for the next generation of paramedics and out-of-hospital practitioners. Readers of the third edition of Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice will find:
A multidisciplinary approach incorporating varied and dynamic research
New chapters on subjects including end of life care, domestic violence, and paramedic wellbeing
Learning activities to aid understanding and retention
Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice, Third Edition is ideal for undergraduate paramedic and emergency care students, as well as registered paramedics, clinicians, and educators.
List of Contributors xvii Preface xxiii Acknowledgements xxv About the Companion Website xxvii Chapter 1 Professionalism in paramedic practice 1 Sarah Neal and Netta Lloyd- Jones Chapter 2 Professional health regulation for paramedicine 16 Ramon Z. Shaban, Ruth Townsend, and Markus Pitter Chapter 3 Legal and ethical aspects of paramedic practice 26 Nevin Mehmet Chapter 4 The impact of professional culture on paramedics and students 36 Sarah Fulford and Derek Collings- Hughes Chapter 5 Human factors in paramedicine 47 Sam Willis and Helen Pocock Chapter 6 Sociological aspects of paramedic practice 56 Kieran Robinson Chapter 7 Communication competency in healthcare 66 Rasa Piggott Chapter 8 Practice- based learning 86 Joe Copson and Vince Clarke Chapter 9 Well- being for paramedics 97 Emma Geis and Katie Pavoni Chapter 10 Mental health for paramedics 113 Renate Taylor and Jade Speed Chapter 11 Responding to mental health in the community 124 Marie Boulianne Chapter 12 De- escalation 140 Simon Menz Chapter 13 Public health and health promotion 151 Michael Fanner Chapter 14 Leadership in paramedic practice 164 Jack Howard Chapter 15 The foundations of research in paramedic practice 174 Elicia Austin Chapter 16 Medical terminology 187 Samantha Sweet Chapter 17 Essential toxicology for out- of- hospital clinicians 202 Jack Matulich and Simon Menz Chapter 18 Trauma 220 Charlie Gadd Chapter 19 Prehospital electrocardiography 235 Alexander Olaussen Chapter 20 Assessing the cardiovascular system 249 Matt Campbell Chapter 21 Assessing the nervous system 265 Charlie Gadd and Jemmima Bowd Chapter 22 Assessing the abdomen 278 Matthew Faulkner, Clare Sutton, and Georgina Pickering Chapter 23 Assessing the respiratory system 294 Janie Brown, Dan Staines, Samantha Sheridan, and Georgina Pickering Chapter 24 Paramedic assessment skills 305 Steven Poulton Chapter 25 Birth and the paramedic 317 Aimee Yarrington and Jane Warland Chapter 26 Paediatrics: recognition of the sick child 327 Clare Davies Chapter 27 Medical emergencies 341 Jennie McGowan, Jane Jennings, and Marco Scarvaci Chapter 28 Caring for older adults 354 Melinda (Dolly) McPherson Chapter 29 Managing minor injuries in the out- of- hospital setting 367 Craig Barlow Chapter 30 Major incident management 380 Brian J. Sengstock Chapter 31 Low acuity care 391 Seán Bolger Chapter 32 Family and domestic violence 403 Simon Sawyer Chapter 33 End- of- life care 415 Justin Honey- Jones and Alexander Palmer Index 453
Sam Willis is the Course Coordinator for Paramedicine at Charles Darwin University, Australia, and has held a teaching fellowship with the UK Higher Education Academy since 2009. Sam sits on the editorial board for the International Journal of Advancing Practice and is completing a PhD in Paramedic Education. Ian Peate is Visiting Professor of Nursing at St George’s University of London and Kingston University London; Visiting Professor, Northumbria University; Senior Clinical Fellow, University of Hertfordshire; Professorial Fellow, University of Roehampton; Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Nursing, Consultant Editor of the Journal of Paramedic Practice, and Consultant Editor of the International Journal of Advancing Practice.
