Learning values in shared decision‐making in undergraduate paramedic education

Abstract

While professional values are seen as a fundamental part of element of shared decision-making, there is little research on how they are learnt within the paramedic profession. This study sought to understand how student paramedics developed their professional values within the ambulance practicum. 37 paramedic students and 5 paramedic educators submitted diary entries and took part in focus groups. There was a general consensus between participants that the study of professional values was viewed as a scholarly activity within the university, and the practicum subsequently viewed as unacademic. Students identified that much of their learning replicated values of the environment they were in, and educators voiced their concerns that this may not always result in the understanding behind professional values. This study has highlighted that professional values would be worthy of being explored within the paramedic undergraduate curriculum, in an effort to enable students to understand and develop their values during their education and appreciate the importance of values within shared decision-making.