Introduction:Numerous challenges can impede the quality of ambulance service clinical placements for undergraduate paramedicine students. Inspired by positive results from a nursing facilitator model, this study reports on a collaboration between an Australian university and ambulance service that piloted a paramedic clinical facilitator for undergraduate paramedic students during their ambulance clinical placements. The objective of this study is to describe the experiences of a clinical facilitator model for undergraduate paramedicine students during ambulance clinical placements.Methods:Two focus groups with a total of 11 paramedic student participants were conducted, as well as two semi-structured interviews with a total of three paramedic preceptors. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Thematic analysis was used to code and identify themes in the data.Results:Three broad, over-arching themes arise from the data; 1.) Increased educational opportunities, 2.) Improved clinical placement management, and 3.) Greater student support and welfare. Both students and paramedic preceptors felt that the paramedic clinical facilitator model improved the quality of ambulance clinical placements for undergraduate paramedicine students. Conclusion:This study suggests that a paramedic clinical facilitator model may improve the quality of ambulance service clinical placements for undergraduate paramedicine students, leading to a more positive learning experience. Universities and ambulance services could consider implementing a paramedic facilitator model for ambulance clinical placements.
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