According to a prominent paramedicine academic and researcher, paramedics have the potential to provide much-needed care in the community, changing the traditional healthcare model. Research points to paramedics having a wider healthcare workforce impact based on their ability to identify and fix problems 24/7.
Dr. Brendan Shannon is Head of Postgraduate Programs in the Department of Paramedicine at Monash University and a member of The Australasian College of Paramedicine. His interests including refining healthcare models, to ensure underserved communities receive requisite care. These alternative care pathways, like outreach programs, can work out of hospitals to provide care in underserved communities with social and complex chronic conditions.
Dr Shannon states, “Paramedics can be utilised in a proactive outreach manner, not just responding to emergency calls, to provide care to those who need it most. The role of paramedics needs to further evolve to see patients with chronic diseases so that they don’t end up in an emergency situation, rather than only responding to emergencies.”
Dr Shannon is a registered paramedic and academic innovating new education programs and paramedicine models of care and career pathways – including as the Education lead of the $20.3 million Australian-first Paramedic Practitioner Program being delivered by Monash University in partnership with Ambulance Victoria and Safer Care Victoria.
Australian Health Journal met with Dr Shannon to health about his research in alternative care pathways and community medicine, involving paramedic roles.
-
Jamie Stanistreet talks Medical Technology
Jamie Stanistreet
Retired Managing Director Medtronic Australia and New Zealand
talks Medical Technology in Australia and the Asia-Pacific -
Smart wearable technology recognised for improving quality of life
Nurses have a pivotal role to play in the widespread implementation and adoption of digital health technologies throughout the healthcare sector for the primary purpose of improving safety and quality of patient care.
Australian Health Journal talked to two of Australian top leaders in nursing and in digital health on how the role of nursing is pivotal to the success of digital health in the Australian health system.
-
Being Part of the New Health Frontier
In November last year, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport delivered its bipartisan report “The New Frontier: Delivering better health for all Australians” on the approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia.
Australian Health Journal spoke to some of the industry bodies who were part of the Inquiry, for their comments on the process, the report and hopes in the recommendations being implemented.
