Undergraduate paramedic students and interpersonal communication development: a scoping review

Abstract

The objective of this review is to examine the current literature related to interpersonal communication skill development within undergraduate paramedicine. Interpersonal communication is a vital paramedic skill, with evidence demonstrating it leads to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction and reduces medical errors. Interpersonal communication is a core capability set by paramedicine regulatory bodies, and it is the responsibility of accredited universities to ensure graduates are ready for industry and possess all required skills and attributes. In order to be included in this scoping review, all articles were required to meet a pre-determined ‘population, concept, context’ (PCC) framework. The population was undergraduate paramedic students within the context of their undergraduate paramedicine programs, and the concept was interpersonal communication education/teaching/training. In June 2021, a search was conducted using CINAHL, Medline, Emcare and ERIC. The articles had to be written in English and published between 2011 and 2021 and non-research sources were excluded. 176 articles were identified in this search and after screening for duplicates and relevancy, 15 articles were found to be eligible. The literature highlighted 4 key themes, including graduate perception of ‘work readiness’, and a variety of learning experiences including alternative work integrated learning (WIL), interactions with specific patient groups and professional learning experiences. The literature demonstrated that interpersonal communication skills are fostered through human interactions, WIL and simulation, within undergraduate paramedicine programs. Findings from the literature review indicate that practising communication through human interactions, afford an increase in confidence, awareness of ability and empathy, and an increased awareness of preconceived biases. Intraprofessional and interprofessional simulation teaching methods demonstrate the potential to build students confidence in communication and awareness of what is required to function well in a team.

Influence of work and family environment on burnout among emergency medical technicians

“…Many studies have been conducted on enhancing the communication skills of EMTs, and their strategies have been examined. 59,60 In Japan, the strategic implementation of communication training in education for EMTs and in clinical settings may have had a negative association with burnout. 56 Moreover, there is evidence of a normalized perception that EMTs should have responsibility for transporting emergency patients as their training includes working in such emergency situations in pre-hospital settings.…”

“…These are valuable sources of information to improve in-hospital care. Many studies have been conducted on enhancing the communication skills of EMTs, and their strategies have been examined [ 44 ]. In Japan, the strategic implementation of communication training in education for EMTs and in clinical settings may have had a negative association with burnout [ 42 ].…”

Does interpersonal self-support matter for freshman nursing students’ professional identity? Evidence from mainland China

“…The results are consistent with a previous finding that males were more likely to be active and independent in the development of interpersonal relationships ( Xia et al, 2014 ). Variable-centered studies focused on evaluating the level of interpersonal communication found that nursing students lacked interpersonal attributes and competence ( Mangan et al, 2022 ). Our person-centered study emphasized the shortage of independence and initiative in communicating with others and expanded our knowledge with respect to the tendencies and characteristics of interpersonal communication among FNSs.…”

“…The shortage of initiative and independence of ISS is adverse for their future academic and career development, as proactive communication is crucial to both the positive formation of PI and efficient nursing care ( Philippa et al, 2021 ). However, nursing interpersonal communication education has been undervalued in the past ( Mangan et al, 2022 ). Our study highlighted the necessity of increasing nursing students’ confidence in communicating with others.…”