Live virtual placements: University of Cumbria

Introduction: The role of the paramedic is diversifying, and universities need to respond by developing curriculums that support paramedic graduates to meet future workforce needs. Placements are key to our students developing the necessary competencies to become qualified paramedics and the pressure is on universities to offer a wide range of placements to reflect professional diversification [1]. In addition, the Health and Care Professions Council’s new standards of proficiency acknowledge that paramedics of the future are likely to consult patients in the virtual world [2]. As universities strive to meet this demand, they are often faced with placement capacity issues. Rising student numbers, staff retention issues and competition for placements from other healthcare students can make it extremely challenging to secure placements, especially in desirable areas such as primary care. 

Aim: To implement a primary care live virtual placement experience into our curriculum to diversify learner experience.

Project Design: Funding from Health Education England was obtained to pilot a series of live virtual placement experiences between April and June 2023. On each day learners from our paramedic degree apprenticeship programme, in a classroom on our Lancaster campus, virtually attended a live clinic in a primary care setting based at Ship Street Surgery, Modality Mid Sussex. The clinic was rigged with various cameras and microphones, with real patients consenting to be filmed. The experience comprised 5 patients, with the lead clinician providing a brief to the learners before each patient arrived for their consultation. Afterwards, the clinician would complete their clinical documentation before engaging in a two-way conversation with our learners and academic staff via Microsoft Teams. Following the clinic, our apprentices had the opportunity to consolidate their learning via case study-driven seminars which linked to the morning experience. 

Feedback:
"Very engaging and good to see healthcare from an alternative perspective."​
"I got to see and understand a GP's perspective on a range of complaints. Which gave me a greater insight into their triage process, working diagnosis and plan of care."​
"Interesting to see some referrals that I didn’t expect especially regarding AAAs."​
"I found the placement really interesting, especially the range of patient diversity. It was engaging throughout and gave me a great insight into GP practice. Really enjoyed today and would advise to include more types like this in the future. Thank you."​
"Brilliant placement as this has never previously been available. Opportunity to discuss consultation in depth and ask questions."