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Recognising the necessity to develop initiatives that realise the potential of a highly skilled and intelligent health workforce, the QAS Isolated Practice Paramedic initiative has been successful in negotiating access to components of RIPERN curriculum and developing appropriate versions of core public health programs currently provided by James Cook University. The intent of this program is the development of core skills and competencies in a range of basic health care management, chronic disease management, and minor medical interventions provided in the context of medical support and consultation and closer alliance with the existing and visiting health care services in rural and isolated communities. Students will experience both face-to-face lectures and skills training as well as mentored community practice using RIPERN networks in the state. Students will be supported by the QAS as well as mentors and placement supervisors. The course is completed part-time over a twelve month period and will emphasise the importance of careful community analysis and implementation of new health programs/services led by paramedics only in consultation with the wider health service network. Paramedics working in isolated communities typically have existing strong relationships with local and visiting medical practitioners and other health care staff. Under this new initiative, these relationships will be enhanced as the community and other providers work collaboratively together to determine appropriate new responsibilities for isolated practice paramedics. A survey of the practice patterns of rural and remote paramedics conducted by the Australian Centre for Prehospital Research in 2005 demonstrated that many paramedics are already providing support, under supervision, to medical officers and other health care workers in their communities. Pre hospital medical services and paramedic engagement in Australian health care – Improving the pathways of care through collaborative action “Integration of health care services helps to ensure that the care provided by EMS does not occur in isolation, and that positive effects are enhanced by linkage with other community health resources and integration within the health care system. EMS provides out-of-facility medical care to those with perceived urgent needs. It is a component of the overall health care system. EMS delivers treatment as part of, or in combination with, systematic approaches intended to attenuate morbidity and mortality for specific patient subpopulations.”
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