Foundations for Paramedic Practice: A Theoretical Perspective

270 Pages·2008·3.44 MB·English

by  Amanda Blaber

Foundations for Paramedic Practice
A theoretical perspective
Foundations for
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“This is a thoroughly readable text which is specifically tailored to the needs of
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student paramedics and would be of great benefit to any pre-hospital or emergency
care students.The chapters provide theoretical perspectives,encourage the student u Paramedic Practice
to assimilate information,relate to their practice experience and future role n
development.It will support them in becoming evidence-based,fit for purpose d
practitioners of the future. An excellent text for paramedic science students,highly
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recommended reading.”
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Paul Bates,Higher Education Programme Manager,London Ambulance Service NHS Trust,UK i A theoretical perspective
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“This book is a timely and significant contribution to the discipline of paramedic n
healthcare practice.Topical and comprehensive,lucid and clear,its ‘user friendly’ s
style and use of ‘stop and think’ sections will allow the reader to make application
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to practice.”
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Geoffrey Watts,University of Chester,UK Edited by Amanda Y Blaber
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Written by leading paramedics and academic subject experts,this is the first P
foundation level text to introduce the main theoretical subjects studied on the new
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higher education paramedic science programmes.It underpins practice and links ways
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of working to the crucial theory base.
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The numerous examples and case studies focus specifically on pre-hospital and
emergency care.Key topics covered include: e
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NHS and ambulance service history i
Ethics and law for the paramedic c
Communication and reflective practice
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Professional issues,including evidence-based practice,anti-discriminatory
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practice,clinical governance and clinical audit
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Psychological perspectives on health and ill health
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Safeguarding children
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Sociological perspectives on health and ill health and social policy
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Managing change and leadership theory c
Continuing professional development e
Foundations for Paramedic Practice: A Theoretical Perspective is a core text for
students of paramedic science and will also provide a valuable resource for students A
of allied health professions.This text provides a stepping stone to further reading
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and investigation.
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Amanda Blaber is Principal Lecturer and University Teaching Fellow in the
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Department of Acute and Continuing Care,University of Greenwich,UK.
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Foundations for Paramedic Practice:
a theoretical perspective
The content of this book is accurately represented by its title and will prove to be a
superb introduction to the many social science and related subjects that students of
paramedic science are required to understand.
This is a thoroughly readable text which is specifically tailored to the needs of
student paramedics and would be of great benefit to any pre-hospital or emergency
care students.
The chapters provide theoretical perspectives, encourage the student to assimi-
late information, relate to their practice experience and future role development. It
will support them in becoming evidence-based, fit-for-purpose practitioners of the
future.
An excellent text for paramedic science students, highly recommended reading.
Paul Bates
Higher Education Programme Manager
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
This book is a timely and significant contribution to the discipline of paramedical
healthcare practice at a time when the initial and continuing education of paramedics
becomes integrated into the higher education sector.
The book is topical as well as comprehensive, and is particularly strong on reflect-
ive practice, issues affecting practice, safeguarding children and continuing profes-
sional education.
The text is both lucid and clear in the exposition of its views and opinions, and
will serve well as an introductory reader. Its ‘user friendly’ style and use of ‘stop and
think’ sections will allow the reader to make application to practice.
Geoffrey Watts
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Social Care
University of Chester
Foundations for
Paramedic Practice
A Theoretical Perspective
Amanda Blaber
Open University Press
McGraw-Hill Education
McGraw-Hill House
Shoppenhangers Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
England
SL6 2QL
email: [email protected]
world wide web: www.openup.co.uk
and
Two Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10121–2289, USA
First published 2008
Copyright © Amanda Blaber 2008
All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the
purposes of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence from the
Copyright Licensing Agency Limited. Details of such licences (for
reprographic reproduction) may be obtained from the Copyright Licensing
Agency Ltd of Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London, EC1N 8TS.
A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library
ISBN13:9780335222896(pb) 9780335222902(hb)
ISBN10:0335222897(pb) 0335222900(hb)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
CIP data has been applied for
Typeset by RefineCatch Limited, Bungay, Suffolk
Printed in Great Britain by Bell and Bain Ltd., Glasgow
Fictitious names of companies, products, people, characters and/or data that
may be used herein (in case studies or in examples) are not intended to
represent any real individual, company, product or event.
For all of our friends and family, past and present

Contents
List of contributors ix
Acknowledgements xiii
Introduction 1
1 Consideration of history 3
Brian Craggs and Amanda Blaber
2 Ethics and law for the paramedic 12
Graham Harris and Steve Cowland
3 Interpersonal communication: a foundation of practice 23
Paul Street
4 Professional issues affecting practice 33
Rachael Donohoe and Amanda Blaber
5 Reflective practice in relation to pre-hospital care 58
Amanda Blaber
6 Psychology: an introduction 66
Jackie Whitnell
7 Developmental psychology: an introduction 78
Jackie Whitnell
8 Abnormal psychology: an introduction 105
Jackie Whitnell
9 Safeguarding children 129
Jackie Whitnell
10 Sociology: an introduction 152
Amanda Blaber
11 Social factors 160
Amanda Blaber
viii CONTENTS
12 Psycho-social aspects of health and illness: an introduction 183
Amanda Blaber
13 Social policy relevant to paramedic practice 195
Amanda Blaber
14 Leadership styles and the decision-making process 205
Alison Cork
15 Change management theory and its usefulness to practice 222
Alison Cork
16 Continuing professional development: who needs it? 232
Bob Fellows
Conclusion 243
Index 245
List of contributors
Amanda Blaber
Teaching Fellow
PG (Dip)Ed, MSc Sociology of Health and Welfare, BSc (Hons) Health and Com-
munity Studies, Dip HE (Accident & Emergency), RGN
Department of Acute and Continuing Care, School of Health and Social Care, Uni-
versity of Greenwich
Amanda has a background in acute medical and emergency care nursing. This area of
expertise naturally lends itself to partnerships and teamwork with ambulance service
colleagues. After 12 years and working at the level of Senior Sister, Amanda decided
to accept the new challenge of higher education. Whilst working at the University of
Hertfordshire, Amanda taught student nurses and paramedics, on both pre- and post-
qualifying pathways. After moving to the University of Greenwich in 2003, Amanda
led the curriculum development with the London Ambulance Service to achieve
validation of the Foundation Degree (FdSc) in 2006. Amanda believes that an under-
standing of subject specialisms such as sociology and psychology is vital to the devel-
opment of the twenty-first-century paramedic and is the reason for this book being
written. Amanda believes that this holistic approach to patient care can impact on the
brief but vital periods of time spent with patients and improve the quality of care
provided.
Alison Cork
Senior Lecturer
MA HE, BSc (Hons), RN
Department of Acute and Continuing Care, School of Health and Social Care, Uni-
versity of Greenwich
Alison qualified as a nurse in 1989 and worked in the specialism of Emergency Care
for 15 years. Having risen through the ranks to Senior Sister, Alison chose to follow a
path into education, both in clinical practice and for the last three years in a higher
education setting, in both nursing and paramedic practice. Alison finds it very reward-
ing to see the personal and professional growth of the students and helping them on
their way to challenging, yet satisfying careers.