Developing the concept of a multi-professional pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) practitioner training programme

Abstract

Journal of Paramedic PracticeVol. 8, No. 5 Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care Position StatementFree AccessDeveloping the concept of a multi-professional pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) practitioner training programmeAndy Thomas, Dan Cody, Phil Hyde, Andy Thurgood, Colville Laird, David Lockey, Rod Mackenzie, Sir Keith PorterAndy ThomasSearch for more papers by this author, Dan CodySearch for more papers by this author, Phil HydeSearch for more papers by this author, Andy ThurgoodSearch for more papers by this author, Colville LairdSearch for more papers by this author, David LockeySearch for more papers by this author, Rod MackenzieSearch for more papers by this author, Sir Keith PorterSearch for more papers by this authorAndy Thomas; Dan Cody; Phil Hyde; Andy Thurgood; Colville Laird; David Lockey; Rod Mackenzie; Sir Keith PorterPublished Online:11 May 2016https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2016.8.5.222AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail What is pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM)?The term ‘pre-hospital emergency medicine’ (PHEM) covers a wide range of medical conditions from minor illness and injury to life-threatening emergencies. Pre-hospital interventions therefore also range from simple first aid to advanced emergency care. Clinical providers may be first responders, technicians, paramedics, nurses and doctors. All of this activity may take place in urban, rural or remote settings (Intercollegiate Board for Training in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, 2015).PHEM practice relates to the emergency response, primary scene transfer and secondary emergency transfer functions within pre-hospital care at the level of the consultant (level 8) practitioner (Skills for Health, 2015), with focus on the area of clinical care required for the seriously ill or injured patient. The key drivers include ensuring consistency in the provision of PHEM services, ensuring equality of access, service delivery, quality and clinical governance.The PHEM curriculum and assessment systemThe PHEM curriculum and assessment system was designed by the Faculty to meet the requirements of General Medical Council (GMC) medical sub-specialty regulations but also to support multi-professional training programmes. PHEM was subsequently approved by the GMC, in 2011, as a medical sub-specialty to some existing medical specialties. Work has been ongoing since that time to explore the possibility of non-doctor access to the PHEM curriculum and examination process. In July 2015 the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care supported, in principle, multi-professional access to the PHEM curriculum and examination process for appropriately trained and experienced paramedics and nurses.The visionThe Faculty has and will continue to be an organisation which promotes PHEM provided by skilled, inclusive, multi-professional providers. The consistency of PHEM delivery is not yet universal and adaptation of current models is required to ensure that the needs of the patient are consistently met. This includes support for development of a multi-professional PHEM workforce. The Faculty supports the concept of multi-professional PHEM practitioner training programmes that follow defined career frameworks (College of Paramedics, 2015).It is envisaged that these programmes will train a small number of appropriately experienced practitioners, in a robust and tightly governed programme, provided and supervised by local education providers, from a national framework to ensure standardisation.Current positionIn November 2015, with close support from the College of Paramedics and Royal College of Nursing, and guidance from the curriculum committee of the Intercollegiate Board for Training in Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine (IBTPHEM), the Faculty endorsed the concept of the development of a multi-professional training programme in PHEM and the development of pilot training schemes to test the concept.Next stepsIt is not within the remit of the Faculty to develop or supervise training programmes. Hence the Faculty, the College of Paramedics and the Royal College of Nursing, intend to work collaboratively with educational providers and clinical organisations to develop pilot training programmes. The aim being to support the development of multi-professional PHEM practitioner training programmes that follow a defined career framework (College of Paramedics, 2015). It is intended that ongoing consultation regarding this innovation, to ensure that safe, robust and practical training is developed, will take place with the support of the curriculum committee of the Intercollegiate Board for Training in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, Health Education England and Local Education Training Boards. References College of Paramedics (2015) Post-Registration Career Framework. 3rd edn. College of Paramedics, Bridgwater Google ScholarIntercollegiate Board for Training in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (2015) Sub-Specialty Training in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine: Curriculum and Assessment System. Intercollegiate Board for Training in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, London Google ScholarSkills for Health (2015) Career Framework. www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/career-framework (accessed 15 April 2016) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byTrauma Care Conference considers expanding role of paramedics in subspecialty6 June 2016 | Journal of Paramedic Practice, Vol. 8, No. 6 2 May 2016Volume 8Issue 5ISSN (print): 1759-1376ISSN (online): 2041-9457 Metrics History Published online 11 May 2016 Published in print 2 May 2016 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download