Overview
This unit expands your paramedic skills by enabling you to evaluate and integrate advanced clinical assessment findings to provide evidence-based care tailored to diverse populations. You will consider complex clinical findings with an understanding of individual patient needs, including social, cultural, and personal factors, to deliver comprehensive, patient-centred care. Core to this unit is a thorough appraisal of patient safety and quality improvement as it applies to paramedicine, highlighting the critical importance of continuous improvement in professional practice. You will build your ability to perform comprehensive risk assessments in the pre- and out-of-hospital environment to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate strategies to mitigate risks to patient safety. Finally, you will reflect on primary health care and the paramedic's role in facilitating referral pathways.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: PMSC13002 Clinical Paramedic Practice 2 PMSC13014 Paramedic Trauma and Emergency Management Co-requisite: PMSC13013 Transition to Paramedic Practice and Professionalism
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE Unit Comments
Students provided much positive feedback on unit delivery, particularly noting the relevance and value of the weekly case studies.
Weekly case studies should remain a key aspect of content delivery and a means of student engagement. Improvements can continue, particularly in creating engaging and thought-provoking content around less clinical topics that received poor student engagement and/or feedback in 2024.
Feedback from SUTE Unit Comments; direct feedback
Students recommended a more practical, hands-on approach for the clinical aspects of this unit.
The recent accreditation process for this course recommended a less hands-on approach to delivering higher education in paramedicine, arguing that these 'polish' skills are taught by the statutory services during on-boarding and the internship year. This unit accordingly updated its content to include broader aspects of paramedicine and to remove its now unnecessary practical component. As such it is recommended that the current online-only delivery be maintained, but that content be better contextualised to real-world practice. This can include greater dicussion of practical considerations of case management as may logically arise from content topics.
Feedback from SUTE Unit Comments; direct feedback
The students considered some content topics unengaging and irrelevant to their professional development. Students expected a greater focus on critical thinking, case management, and application of clinical skills in a final year medical unit.
The unit introduction and delivery should clearly demonstrate content relevance and utility to modern pre-hospital care. There is room to better convey that both clinical and non-clinical topics are vital aspects of professional competencies and practice, and important in future-proofing our graduates. This can include exploration of other delivery methods besides clinical case studies to improve engagement with all content and overall satisfaction with the unit.
Feedback from SUTE Unit Comments
Weekly formative quizzes were suggested as an additional value-added initiative that could be added for future offerings.
The inclusion of formative quizzes to be considered for those weekly topics that are best suitable for this type of review and self-testing.
- Evaluate and integrate advanced clinical assessment findings to provide evidence-based care while accommodating a patient’s needs and preferences, including social, cultural and personal factors
- Appraise patient safety and quality improvement as it applies to paramedicine
- Perform comprehensive risk assessments in the pre-and out-of-hospital environment to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate strategies to mitigate risks to patient safety
- Reflect on primary health care and the paramedic's role in facilitating referral pathways.
The Paramedicine Board of Australia requires that units align with the Professional Capabilities for Registered Paramedics, which consist of five (5) domains. The below section aligns the proposed learning outcomes with these domains. In addition, the learning outcomes have been aligned with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
Professional Capabilities for Registered Paramedics
| Standard/Attribute/Criteria | Learning Outcomes |
| Domain 1: The Professional and Ethical Practitioner 1.1.4, 1.1.6, 1.1.8, 1.1.9, 1.1.10, 1.1.11, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.2.7, 1.2.8, 1.2.9, 1.2.10, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.4.1, 1.4.2 | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Domain 2: The communicator and the collaborator 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.1.7, 2.1.8, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.5, 2.2.6 | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Domain 3: The evidence-based practitioner 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.2.6, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4 | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Domain 4: The safety and risk management practitioner 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.3.1, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.5.3, 4.6.1, 4.6.2, 4.6.3, 4.6.5 | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Domain 5: The Paramedicine Practitioner 5.1.1, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.3.5, 5.3.6, 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.6, 5.6.1, 5.6.2, 5.6.3, 5.6.4 | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Standard | Learning Outcomes |
| Clinical Governance | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Partnering with Consumers | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Preventing and Controlling Infections | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Medication Safety | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Comprehensive Care | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Communicating for Safety | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
| Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine
Edition: 5th (2020)
Authors: Cameron, P. , Little, M. ,Mitra, B. & Conor, D.
Elsevier
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780702076244
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
t.pirie@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Primary Health Care.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to Advanced Point of Care Equipment.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Future Trends in Paramedic Care
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Patient Assessment – Respiratory.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No New Content This Week.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Patient Assessment – Cardiovascular.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Patient Assessment – Neurological.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Patient Assessment – Trauma.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Patient Assessment – Paediatric.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Patient Assessment – Geriatric.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Patient Assessment – Obstetric.
Chapter
Lecture notes and readings will be supplied.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Difficult Situations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Assessment Title
Case Study
Preamble
You will be presented with a detailed case that assesses your ability to evaluate and manage a complex patient scenario involving clinical challenges and social and environmental risk factors. The case will include observations of the patient’s environment, their social and medical history, and clinical assessment findings. You are required to apply advanced clinical assessment skills, prioritise patient safety and quality improvement, and conduct a comprehensive risk assessment
Task Description
You are to address the following questions in an essay format with reference to the literature.
1. Develop an evidence-based care plan for the patient, considering the broader context of the patient's presentation.
2. a. Evaluate how social, cultural and environmental factors influence the patient's condition.
b. Discuss how these factors might impact your approach to care for this patient.
c. Propose strategies to address any barriers to effective communication and care delivery.
3. Conduct a thorough evaluation to identify potential hazards in this case and discuss appropriate controls or interventions that could be implemented to mitigate the identified risks to improve patient outcomes.
The details of the case are provided in the Moodle Assessment tile.
Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Week 9 Friday (19 Sept 2025)
Level of Gen Ai use allowed
Level 2 AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Assessment Criteria
The expected word count for your case study is 1500 words, excluding references. You will be assessed in accordance with the rubric provided on the unit Moodle page. Criteria include:
Content
· Evaluation of Social, Cultural, and Personal Factors Affecting Care
· Evidence-Based Care and Patient Safety Considerations
· Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies
Overall presentation
· Organisation of paper.
· Writing mechanics.
· Appropriate word count of 1500 words (+/-10 %)
References
· Use of APA 7th edition style of in-text referencing.
· Inclusion of a reference list.
· Utilises and appropriate amount of high-quality sources of evidence, from journal articles published in the last 10 years. Other additional references may include legislation.
Assessment Due date
0900 Friday 29th August 2025
Formatting requirements
Presentation:
Your assessment should be formatted on A4 International Standard paper with margins of 2.54cm. Arial font (or similar) and size set to 12 point, and line spacing should be set to 1.5.
Format:
A cover page must include the following:
· Assessment name
· Unit number and name (PMSC13010 Consolidated Paramedic Practice)
· Your Name
· Student Number
· Word count (not including cover page, headings, intext citations or reference list)
· Assessment due date (If you have an approved extension, this needs to be noted here)
You are required to address the written assignment questions in an essay format. Headings and subsections are allowed. The word count for the assessment is 1500 (+/- 10%).
You must provide a reference list of no less than Ten (10) recent peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, published in the last 10 years. You may also reference additional expert textbooks and websites as appropriate that must be referenced in the APA 7 style. Intext referencing must be utilised with an accompanying reference list in APA format.
All answers must be based on evidence-based, peer-reviewed literature. National and International Statutory Ambulance Services guidelines can be referred to as examples but should not be referenced as primary sources.
In the absence of an approved extension, a penalty of 5% of the total assessment mark will be deducted for each whole day the assessment is overdue, in accordance with the Assessment Policy and Procedure.
Please save and upload your file in a PDF format.
No submission method provided.
- Evaluate and integrate advanced clinical assessment findings to provide evidence-based care while accommodating a patient’s needs and preferences, including social, cultural and personal factors
- Appraise patient safety and quality improvement as it applies to paramedicine
- Perform comprehensive risk assessments in the pre-and out-of-hospital environment to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate strategies to mitigate risks to patient safety
2 Written Assessment
Assessment Title
Reflective Case Study: Missed Opportunity for Referral in Paramedic Practice
Preamble
In this assessment, you are required to reflect on a case where an opportunity for referral to primary health care or community services was missed or inadequately addressed during a paramedic response.
Task Description
You are to analyse a case where an opportunity for referral was missed or inadequately addressed during paramedic care. Your response should demonstrate your understanding of primary health care, referral pathways, and your role as a future paramedic. The case can be drawn from a simulation, but ideally from clinical placement—something you have seen or heard about while on placement with paramedics. You will critically examine the events that occurred, identify how an appropriate referral could have improved patient outcomes, and reflect on how this experience will influence your future practice.
Structure
The Role of Paramedics in Primary Health Care
· Explain the evolving role of paramedics in primary health care delivery.
· Discuss the importance of early identification and referral of patients.
Importance of Referral Pathways
· Critically evaluate how well-designed referral pathways enhance patient outcomes.
· Include examples relevant to paramedic practice.
Case Overview and Analysis of the Missed Opportunity
· Present the clinical situation: patient demographics, setting, presentation, key findings, and missed referral.
· Analysis of the Missed Opportunity
· Identify appropriate referral options.
· Analyse how timely referral could have improved continuity, safety, or outcomes.
· Reference best practice guidelines or pathways.
Patient-Centred Considerations
· Reflect on how social, cultural, or psychological factors contributed to the missed opportunity.
· Discuss how a more holistic, patient-centred approach might have helped.
Risk Assessment and Patient Safety
· Identify risks related to missed/delayed referrals.
· Discuss how paramedics can mitigate these risks through improved practice and quality improvement strategies.
Personal Reflection and Future Practice
· Reflect on your learning from this case.
· Identify how you will apply this in future practice.
· Link to professional standards or future goals as a paramedic.
Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025)
Level of Gen Ai use allowed
Level 2 AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Assessment Criteria
The expected word count for your case study is 2000 words, excluding references. You will be assessed in accordance with the rubric provided on the unit Moodle page. Criteria include:
Content
· Role of Paramedics in Primary Health Care
· Importance of Referral Pathways
· Case Overview and Analysis of the Missed Opportunity
· Patient-Centred Considerations
· Risk Assessment and Patient Safety
· Personal Reflection and Future Practice
Overall presentation
· Organisation of paper.
· Writing mechanics.
· Appropriate word count of 2000 words (+/-10 %)
References
· Use of APA 7th edition style of in-text referencing.
· Inclusion of a reference list.
· Utilises an appropriate amount of high-quality sources of evidence, from journal articles published in the last 10 years. Other additional references may include legislation.
Assessment Due date
0900 Friday 26th September 2025
formatting requirements
Presentation:
Your assessment should be formatted on A4 International Standard paper with margins of 2.54cm. Arial font (or similar) and size set to 12 point, and line spacing should be set to 1.5.
Format:
A cover page must include the following:
· Assessment name
· Unit number and name (PMSC13010 Consolidated Paramedic Practice)
· Your Name
· Student Number
· Word count (not including cover page, headings, intext citations or reference list)
· Assessment due date (If you have an approved extension, this needs to be noted here)
You are required to address the written assignment questions in an essay format. Headings and subsections are allowed. The word count for the assessment is 2000 (+/- 10%).
You must provide a reference list of no less than Ten (10) recent peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, published in the last 10 years. You may also reference additional expert textbooks and websites as appropriate that must be referenced in the APA 7 style. Intext referencing must be utilised with an accompanying reference list in APA format.
All answers must be based on evidence-based, peer-reviewed literature. National and International Statutory Ambulance Services guidelines can be referred to as examples but should not be referenced as primary sources.
In the absence of an approved extension, a penalty of 5% of the total assessment mark will be deducted for each whole day the assessment is overdue, in accordance with the Assessment Policy and Procedure.
Please save and upload your file in a PDF format.
No submission method provided.
- Appraise patient safety and quality improvement as it applies to paramedicine
- Perform comprehensive risk assessments in the pre-and out-of-hospital environment to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate strategies to mitigate risks to patient safety
- Reflect on primary health care and the paramedic's role in facilitating referral pathways.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
