Defining the end-point of transition to a specialist role in community paramedicine: is feeling comfortable enough?

Defining the end-point of transition to a specialist role in community paramedicine: is feeling comfortable enough?

Introduction: Community paramedicine continues to evolve as a stream of paramedic specialisation. However, little is known about the transition from a 'traditional' role to that of an Extended Care Paramedic (ECP) or Community Paramedic (CP). Moreover, defining the end-point of transition is nebulous. Existing studies of work-role transition in paramedicine and cognate health fields commonly reported a subjective sense of work-role 'comfort' to indicate the threshold of transition had been crossed. But is there more to it? This research illuminated the final phase of community paramedicine transition its end-point.

Methods: ECPs (n=25) from two Australian jurisdictions and CPs (n=11) from a Canadian provincial health service, participated in a qualitative study exploring their experiences of transition. The data from the three study sites was pooled and interpreted using constructivist grounded theory methodology.

Results: Participants confirmed a subjective sense of work-role comfort signalled transition. Conceptually however, transition occurred through four core categories which permeated the entire transition experience. Each of the four categories contributed 'ancillary markers' of transition that coalesced to define the end-point of transition; adequate proficiency in the work-role.

Conclusion: The end-point of transition was defined through a complex interplay of personal and group factors. Defining the end-point of transition will assist trainee ECPs/CPs, educators and other stakeholders to more efficiently navigate the transition experience.

c. Paramedics Australasia 2017.