Pre-Hospital Care Podcast

The paramedic field is much more fast-tracked than it once was. It's such an established path that many new paramedics have come straight from the classroom, and are being thrown into situations that a professional of any seniority would find it difficult to handle.  Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that the mental health of people working in emergency healthcare is getting worse over time. What can be done? 

On this episode of Pre Hospital Care Podcast, Eoin and Rich continue their discussion with Nick Brown to tackle the non-technical skills necessary in controlling a tragic and highly emotional scene. In 96% of cardiac arrest cases, the patient doesn’t make it. When that happens, they are not the only patient.  Losing a loved one is traumatic and a genuine health risk over time. If we take our oath as clinicians seriously, therefore, we must be well prepared and skilled in not adding any further stress and trauma, as well as set up avenues for ongoing help and support.  Medics.Academy is dedicated to educating health professionals on every aspect of medicine, both technical and non-technical.  Go to www.Medics.Academy to browse our library of healthcare education. 

On this episode of Pre Hospital Care Podcast, Eoin and Rich talk tackle perhaps the toughest topic in pre-hospital care. Delivering bad news to family members. Health professionals are not usually well taught about how to deliver the news of the death of a patient in a suitable and tactful way. This episode explains the four stages of delivering bad news, words to avoid, and how to remain professional but give support as much as you and your team can. Medics.Academy is dedicated to educating health professionals on every aspect of medicine, both technical and non-technical. Go to www.Medics.Academy to browse our large library of CPD-ready courses. 

In this week’s podcast, we continue to discuss the crucial topic of pre-hospital airway management. How can we maximise the chances of patients with airway problems when time and circumstance are not on our side?  Eoin Walker and Rich McGirr walk through different procedures and both technical and non-technical aspects of managing the airway in the field.  For CPD-relevant content about pre-hospital care and many other healthcare fields, sign up at www.Medics.Academy.

Eoin Walker and Rich McGirr are back to discuss the ever growing evidence base and controversial topic of airway management in the pre-hospital setting. How does the reality of managing this urgent, life-or-death part of the body differ from what is taught in the classroom? What are the essential steps in dealing with the prehospital airway? What are the pros and cons of each method?

Eoin Walker and Rich McGirr are back with special guest Martin Mist to talk more about the unique challenges that present themselves to paramedics when dealing with crises brought on by ingestion of illegal substances. When will you need to resort to physical restraint? Why part of a paramedic’s job is to be a detective. How to do proper research on new. What the top 5 hard-hitter drugs are and key nuggets for dealing with each. All this and more on the latest episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast.

Paramedics are constantly in the middle of life and death situations. In the first full episode of the Medics.Academy Pre Hospital Care podcast, paramedics Owen Walker, Richard McGirr, and Martin Mist discuss Club Drugs and Non-Legal Highs and their effects on patients. As paramedics, they’re the first medical professionals to assess a situation before getting them to physicians at the hospital. They see the patients at their lowest point, suffering from anything from a cardiac arrest, a severe allergic reaction or a psychotic episode. Among many other topics, this episode covers the common and uncommon presentations of patients after drug overdoses and what paramedics look for and how to assess the situations.

This podcast is presented by Eoin Walker and Rich McGirr and is a Medics Academy podcast. The purpose of this podcast is to provide paramedics an easy-to-access set of resources and educational materials wherever they are. Feel free to take a look at the description in the footnotes of the podcast. Sign up to Medics Academy today to find out even more about what we do and just how much content we put out there for your education.

In this episode, we explore Radu Venter’s proposal for a structured Paramedic Internship Model, inspired by medical training frameworks. Venter argues that current orientation programmes don’t provide enough time or support for new paramedics to develop the confidence and competence needed for safe, independent practice.He suggests a tiered approach where new paramedics first orient with an experienced crew, then spend a defined period working exclusively alongside seasoned practitioners before achieving full independent status. This system aims to improve practitioner readiness, enhance patient safety, and foster a culture of continuous learning within pre-hospital care.While acknowledging potential logistical challenges and the risk of worsening staffing shortages, Radu maintains that the long-term benefits better clinical confidence, reduced burnout, and stronger team dynamics, make the proposal worth exploring.Key Themes we explore: Paramedic orientation vs. internship modelsBuilding confidence and competence in new practitionersBalancing mentorship with workforce pressuresLessons from critical care and medical trainingRadu reinforces the model’s potential, noting that extended in-field mentorship has long been proven successful in high-acuity environments such as critical care. You can read the blog here: https://theparamedicphilosopher.substack.com/p/what-should-paramedic-mentorshipThis episode is sponsored by PAX: The gold standard in emergency response bags.When you’re working under pressure, your kit needs to be dependable, tough, and intuitive. That’s exactly what you get with PAX. Every bag is handcrafted by expert tailors who understand the demands of pre-hospital care. From the high-tech, skin-friendly, and environmentally responsible materials to the cutting-edge welding process that reduces seams and makes cleaning easier, PAX puts performance first. They’ve partnered with 3M to perfect reflective surfaces for better visibility, and the bright grey interior makes finding gear fast and effortless, even in low light. With over 200 designs, PAX bags are made to suit your role, needs, and environment. And thanks to their modular system, many bags work seamlessly together, no matter the setup.PAX doesn’t chase trends. Their designs stay consistent, so once you know one, you know them all. And if your bag ever takes a beating? Their in-house repair team will bring it back to life.PAX – built to perform, made to last.Learn more at ⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In February 2023, the National Guardian’s Office dropped a stark warning: the culture in ambulance trusts across England was putting both staff wellbeing and patient safety at risk. Fast forward to this year’s Culture Review of Ambulance Trusts, and the findings are just as sobering.According to the 2022 NHS Staff Survey, ambulance services scored below the national average across all seven People Promise areas, including inclusion, wellbeing, morale, and leadership. Over 14% of paramedics reported that their workload was directly damaging their emotional well-being. And in terms of speaking up? Many staff who raised concerns said they faced intimidation, ostracism, or silence. The review also highlights ongoing issues with bullying, sexual harassment, poor line management, and a leadership style that too often leans on ‘command and control’ rather than compassion. However, alongside these findings are six bold recommendations, ranging from improving the speak-up culture to creating leadership pathways that truly reflect the needs of frontline staff.So, in today’s episode, we’re asking, does this report reflect experience working on the frontline? What’s missing? And what does genuine culture change look like when you’re the one out there answering the calls? I’m joined in this interview by Lee McLaren. Lee is a Paramedic and Practice Educator with the Ambulance Service. With a focus on human-centric leadership, Lee advocates for compassionate and effective learning environments. His work bridges clinical excellence with the development of future healthcare professionals. You can read the report here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/culture-review-of-ambulance-trusts/