New Horizons - Paramedic Practice in the 21st Century - College of Paramedics podcast collaboration

In this session we examine some of the ways in which we have seen paramedics diversify through a multitude of roles within the healthcare economy. We chat with Gary Strong; Paramedic and CPD lead from the College of Paramedics and Caroline Phillips; my co-host, Paramedic and Palliative care Paramedic. The session is intended to unpack, examine our roles and journey through pre-hospital care and finally give insight into some of the positive and challenging aspects of diversification we have seen within paramedic practice in the contemporary climate.

In the episode we discuss:

• The variety of roles that are open to Paramedics & ways in which Paramedicine is changing.
• We examine Gary’s path through Paramedicine, how he has got to where he is now and what got him there (education, roles and reflections).
• Caroline’s path through Paramedicine, from education, roles and reflections on current and past job titles within paramedic practice.
• My own (Eoin’s) path through Paramedicine, how I have got to where I am now and what got me there (education, roles, reflections)
• Final thoughts on pathways, education and the future of diversity and the role of a paramedic itself.

As we see the diversity of roles within our expansive field of practice we reflect on where the profession has come from and how quickly it has adapted to new eco-systems of healthcare. We also reflect on some of the fundamental traits of paramedics around adaptability and flexibility as the DNA of what makes a paramedic so integrated and embedded within various domains of practice. 

I hope you enjoy this wider ranging conversation on the evolution of the 'paramedic'.