Abstract
Introduction: Extended Care Paramedics (ECP) focus on presentations that have low acuity but are frequently highly complex. Despite over a decade as a specialist role, only a small body of Australasian literature identifies the practice of ECPs and the benefits they have on the health care system and patient care delivery. In broader healthcare, there is a clear connection between clinical leadership and positive patient outcomes, but currently, the manner of ECP clinical leadership practices is unknown.Aims: This research aims to explore how ECPs perceive clinical leadership within the context of their practice.
Methods: This study utilised a qualitative content analysis methodology with data collection through a semi-structured interview in which participants engaged with vignettes. Vignettes were used to explore participant actions and motivations, ECPs' clinical leadership practice, and the subjects/population (the group of ECPs). Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse data, and the results were interpreted through a behavioural reasoning lens to describe and conceptualise themes.
Results: Qualitative content analysis of five ECP participants from New South Wales, South Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand was completed. The themes of conflict resolution, clinical education, patient advocacy, role justification, patient safety and types of leadership styles embedded in clinical leadership emerged from the data.
Conclusion: This research provides insight into the current clinical leadership practices amongst ECPs. Generally, these ECPs viewed themselves as senior clinicians responsible for improving patient care through various practices such as conflict resolution, patient advocacy, patient safety, and use of congruent and distributive leadership practices. Overall, these ECPs demonstrated clinical leadership practices despite various barriers, such as lack of specific training in clinical leadership, cultural perceptions and social perceptions.
| Date of Award | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Liz Thyer (Supervisor) & Paul Simpson (Supervisor) |