Cover
List of contributors
Preface
Acknowledgements
About the companion website
1 Professionalism in paramedic practice
1. Introduction
2. Professionalism in paramedic practice
3. Defining professionalism
4. Professionalism as ethical practice
5. Professional identity, socialisation, and culture
6. How do students learn professionalism?
7. Assessment and standards of professionalism
8. Regulatory areas, fitness to practise processes, and outcomes
9. Conclusion
10. Activities
11. Glossary
12. References
2 Professional health regulation for paramedicine and ambulance prehospital emergency care
1. Introduction
2. Principles for paramedic professional health regulation
3. Health professional regulation for paramedic professionalism
4. The UK experience
5. Paramedics behaving badly
6. The Australian experience
7. Conclusion
8. Activities
9. Glossary
10. References
3 Human factors in paramedicine
1. Introduction
2. What are human factors?
3. Human error in paramedicine
4. Tasks
5. Organisation
6. Tools and technology
7. Environment
8. Interactions
9. Human factors in paramedic practice
10. Conclusion
11. Activities
12. Glossary
13. References
4 Mental capacity and prehospital care
1. Introduction
2. What is mental capacity?
3. How do we make decisions?
4. Assessing mental capacity
5. The five principles
6. Additional mental capacity safeguards
7. Conclusion
8. Activities
9. Glossary
10. References
5 Mental health and prehospital care
1. Introduction
2. What is ‘mental health’?
3. What are ‘mental disorder’ and ‘mental illness’?
4. Emotions (mood) and behaviour
5. ABC model of emotion
6. Brief outline of common mental illnesses
7. General strategies to help with all mental health conditions in the prehospital environment
8. Mental health act
9. Conclusion
10. Activities
11. Glossary
12. References
6 Communication skills for the prehospital professional
1. Introduction
2. Background
3. The importance of effective communication
4. A model of communication
5. Nonverbal communication
6. Verbal communication
7. Effective listening
8. Empathy
9. Barriers to effective communication in the prehospital setting
10. Conclusion
11. Activities
12. Glossary
13. References
7 Sociological aspects of paramedic practice
1. Introduction
2. The sociological imagination
3. Three sociological paradigms
4. The sociocultural context of health
5. Medicalisation and demedicalisation
6. Conclusion
7. Activities
8. Glossary
9. References
8 Legal and ethical aspects of paramedic practice
1. Introduction
2. Legal aspects of paramedic practice
3. Ethical aspects of paramedic practice
4. Ethical principles: An ethical framework
5. Conclusion
6. Activities
7. Glossary
8. References
9 Leadership and mentorship in paramedic practice
1. Introduction
2. Theories of leadership: a brief overview
3. Definitions of leadership
4. From leaders to leadership behaviours
5. Leadership styles and approaches
6. Leadership at the individual level
7. Leadership and the mentoring or supervisory role
8. Leadership and team work
9. Ongoing leadership development
10. Conclusion
11. Activities
12. Glossary
13. References
10 Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse and neglect
1. Introduction
2. Legislation and policy
3. Types of abuse and neglect
4. Recognising abuse and neglect
5. Radicalisation and extremism
6. Practice principles of safeguarding
7. Paramedic responsibilities
8. Conclusion
9. Activities
10. Glossary
11. References
11 Essential toxicology for prehospital clinicians
1. Introduction
2. Pharmacokinetics in toxicology
3. The importance of clinical context and vulnerability
4. The initial resuscitative approach in toxicology
5. Toxidromes
6. Activities
7. Glossary
8. References
12 Medical terminology
1. Introduction
2. A brief history (Hx) of medical terminology
3. Medical terminology and word structure
4. Prefixes and suffixes
5. The building blocks of medical terms
6. Pronunciation of medical terms
7. Forming plurals
8. Eponyms
9. Anatomical positions
10. Movement terminology
11. Medical abbreviations and acronyms
12. Common similarities in terminology
13. Spelling – British versus American English
14. Conclusion
15. Activities
16. Glossary
17. References
13 Research methods and paramedic practice
1. Introduction
2. Qualitative and quantitative research
3. Ethics
4. Case reports
5. Case control studies
6. Questionnaire studies
7. Interview studies
8. Focus group studies
9. Observational and participatory studies
10. Before‐and‐after studies and routinely collected data
11. Randomised controlled trials
12. Longitudinal cohort and panel studies
13. Critical literature reviews
14. Conclusion
15. Activities
16. Glossary
17. References
14 Trauma
1. Introduction
2. Head injuries
3. Facial injuries
4. Neck and back injuries
5. Chest injuries
6. Abdominal injuries
7. Pelvic injuries
8. Limb injuries
9. Upper limb injuries
10. Shock
11. Conclusion
12. Activities
13. Glossary
14. References
15 Prehospital electrocardiography
1. Introduction
2. What is an ECG?
3. P, Q, R, S, and T waves
4. Evaluating the ECG
5. Atrioventricular heart blocks
6. Performing and reviewing a 12‐lead ECG
7. Acute coronary syndromes and the ECG
8. Idioventricular rhythm
9. Bundle branch blocks
10. Conclusion
11. Activities
12. Glossary
13. References
16 Assessing the cardiac system
1. Introduction
2. Cardiac anatomy and physiology
3. Common cardiac conditions
4. Patient assessment
5. Conclusion
6. Activities
7. Glossary
8. References
17 Assessing the nervous system
1. Introduction
2. Nervous system: Structure and function
3. Central nervous system
4. Peripheral nervous system
5. Upper and lower motor neurones
6. History and physical examination
7. Conclusion
8. Activities
9. Glossary
10. References
18 Assessing the abdomen
1. Introduction
2. Abdominal anatomy and physiology
3. Patient assessment
4. Conclusion
5. Activities
6. Glossary
7. References
19 Respiratory assessment
1. Introduction
2. Respiratory anatomy and physiology
3. Pathophysiology of respiratory conditions
4. Patient assessment
5. Conclusion
6. Activities
7. Glossary
8. References
20 Paramedic assessment skills
1. Introduction
2. Part 1: The conscious patient
3. Case study 1: Using the primary survey
4. Case study 2: Implementing the secondary survey
5. Case study 3: Completing the systematic approach
6. Part 2: The unconscious patient
7. Case study 4: The unconscious patient systematic approach
8. Conclusion
9. Activities
10. Glossary
11. References
21 Birth and the paramedic
1. Introduction
2. Physiological birth
3. Birth phases
4. Preparing for the birth
5. Paramedic intervention following normal childbirth
6. Birth complications
7. Conclusion
8. Activities
9. Glossary
10. References
22 Paediatrics
1. Introduction
2. Paediatric anatomy and physiology
3. Paediatric examination
4. Patient assessment triangle
5. Paediatric emergencies
6. Conclusion
7. Activities
8. Glossary
9. References
23 Medical emergencies
1. Introduction
2. Neurological emergencies
3. Metabolic emergencies
4. End‐of‐life care
5. Infection
6. Immunological emergencies
7. Conclusion
8. Activities
9. Glossary
10. References
24 Caring for older adults
1. Introduction
2. The elderly population
3. Assessing older adults
4. Physiology of ageing
5. Frailty
6. Trauma
7. Falls
8. Additional assessments in the elderly
9. Pain assessment
10. End‐of‐life care
11. Conclusion
12. Activities
13. Glossary
14. References
25 Managing minor injuries in the prehospital setting
1. Introduction
2. Background
3. The importance of history taking
4. Consent to treatment
5. Clinical examination
6. Minor head injuries
7. Nasal injuries
8. Wound assessment and care
9. Ankle injuries
10. Minor burns
11. Transporting minor injury patients
12. Conclusion
13. Activities
14. Glossary
15. References
26 Major incident management
1. Introduction
2. Managing the incident site: first ambulance on scene
3. Declaring a major incident: METHANE and SAM
4. Casualty management
5. Incident management system
6. Emergency management
7. Conclusion
8. Activities
9. Glossary
10. References
27 Low acuity
1. Introduction
2. What is low acuity care?
3. How to approach low acuity care patient assessment
4. Performing a systems review
5. Other physical assessment clues to assist the diagnosis
6. Gathering further clinical information from patients
7. Conclusion
8. Activities
9. Glossary
10. References
Answers to activities
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 12
12. Chapter 13
13. Chapter 14
14. Chapter 15
15. Chapter 16
16. Chapter 17
17. Chapter 18
18. Chapter 19
19. Chapter 20
20. Chapter 21
21. Chapter 22
22. Chapter 23
23. Chapter 24
24. Chapter 25
25. Chapter 26
26. Chapter 27
Index
End User License Agreement

List of Tables

Chapter 2
1. Table 2.1 The 5 Es of professionalisation.
Chapter 3
1. Table 3.1 Summary of error‐producing conditions in prehospital care.
2. Table 3.2 Positive team‐working qualities.
Chapter 4
1. Table 4.1 Mental capacity legislation/guidance in Australia.
Chapter 5
1. Table 5.1 Examples of organic conditions.
2. Table 5.2 Examples of some functional conditions.
3. Table 5.3 Neurotic and psychotic mental illness.
4. Table 5.4 Description of manic behaviour.
Chapter 9
1. Table 9.1 Different styles of leadership.
2. Table 9.2 Belbin's team roles.
Chapter 10
1. Table 10.1 Types and examples of abuse.
2. Table 10.2 Signs of potential organisational abuse.
3. Table 10.3 Practice principles of safeguarding.
Chapter 11
1. Table 11.1 Paediatric high‐risk substances.
2. Table 11.2 Mnemonics for cholinergic toxidrome.
3. Table 11.3 Toxidrome quick guide.
Chapter 12
1. Table 12.1 Description of basic word structure.
2. Table 12.2 Root words and meanings.
3. Table 12.3 Common prefixes.
4. Table 12.4 Common suffixes.
5. Table 12.5 Prefixes relating to colour.
6. Table 12.6 Putting it all together.
7. Table 12.7 Forming plurals.
8. Table 12.8 Eponym examples.
9. Table 12.9 Anatomical positions.
10. Table 12.10 Anatomical directional terms.
11. Table 12.11 Anatomical movement.
12. Table 12.12 Medical abbreviations and acronyms.
13. Table 12.13 Common similarities.
14. Table 12.14 British versus American spellings.
Chapter 13
1. Table 13.1 Different types of research studies.
2. Table 13.2 Typical errors in questionnaire design.
3. Table 13.3 Example search strategy.
Chapter 14
1. Table 14.1 Shock classifications and their origins.
Chapter 16
1. Table 16.1 Causes of atrial fibrillation.
2. Table 16.2 Mnemonics for history taking relating to symptomology.
3. Table 16.3 Questions for cardiac patients.
Chapter 17
1. Table 17.1 Functions of the lobes of the cerebrum.
2. Table 17.2 The 12 cranial nerves.
3. Table 17.3 Effects of motor neurone disease muscle tone, reflex, and strength.
4. Table 17.4 Glasgow coma scale (GCS).
5. Table 17.5 Limb strength grading.
6. Table 17.6 Coordination assessment.
7. Table 17.7 Reflex grading.
8. Table 17.8 Focused assessment of the cranial nerves (CNs).
9. Table 17.9 Signs of raised intracranial pressure (ICP).
Chapter 18
1. Table 18.1 Distribution of the abdominal organs.
2. Table 18.2 Questions for abdominal patients.
3. Table 18.3 Signs and symptoms of abdominal pathology.
4. Table 18.4 Mnemonics for taking a symptom/pain history.
Chapter 19
1. Table 19.1 Components of the general impression.
2. Table 19.2 Common disease pathologies causing breathing difficulty.
3. Table 19.3 Questions for respiratory patients.
4. Table 19.4 Pathophysiology of advantageous sounds.
Chapter 20
1. Table 20.1 Primary survey.
2. Table 20.2 Secondary survey.
3. Table 20.3 IMIST‐AMBO clinical handover acronym.
4. Table 20.4 Primary survey.
Chapter 21
1. Table 21.1 Stages of labour.
Chapter 22
1. Table 22.1 Respiratory rates.
2. Table 22.2 Pulse rates.
3. Table 22.3 Prodromal symptoms of meningitis.
4. Table 22.4 Signs of respiratory distress.
5. Table 22.5 The TICLS mnemonic.
6. Table 22.6 Elements of thepaediatric assessment triangle (PAT).
Chapter 23
1. Table 23.1 Signs, symptoms, and description of focal and generalised seizures...
2. Table 23.2 Signs, symptoms, and clinical findings ofdiabetic ketoacidosis (DK...
Chapter 24
1. Table 24.1 Frailty syndrome presentations
2. Table 24.2 Red flags for falls.
3. Table 24.3 End‐of‐life signs and symptoms.
Chapter 25
1. Table 25.1 Six‐stage treatment plan for minor burns.
Chapter 26
1. Table 26.1 Tiers of incident command.
Chapter 27
1. Table 27.1 Patient assessment and history‐taking process.
2. Table 27.2 Questions for performing a systems review (SR).
3. Table 27.3 Systemic disease signs you can identify from nails.
4. Table 27.4 Systemic disease signs you can identify from the face and mouth.
5. Table 27.5 Systemic disease signs you can identify from other areas of the bo...

List of Illustrations

Chapter 1
1. Figure 1.1 A paramedic lecturer teaching students.
2. Figure 1.2 A student paramedic facing a disciplinary panel.
Chapter 3
1. Figure 3.1 Error minimisation in prehospital care based on Reason's Swiss ch...
2. Figure 3.2 Diagrammatic representation of Carayon's (2006) Systems Engineeri...
3. Figure 3.3 Flow diagram showing the true complexity of the patient handover ...
4. Figure 3.4 Egg‐timer model of disparity.
Chapter 4
1. Figure 4.1 Mental Capacity Act (MCA) flowchart.
2. Figure 4.2 Use of restraint.
Chapter 6
1. Figure 6.1 The sender, message, receiver model of communication by Shannon a...
2. Figure 6.2 Positive body language.
3. Figure 6.3 Negative body language.
4. Figure 6.4 Zones of proximity.
Chapter 7
1. Figure 7.1 The social system.
Chapter 8
1. Figure 8.1 Willis's reflective model.
Chapter 9
1. Figure 9.1 Leadership skills and aptitudes start at the level of the individ...
2. Figure 9.2 Paramedics also have opportunities to show educational leadership...
Chapter 11
1. Figure 11.1 Toxidrome flowchart.
Chapter 12
1. Figure 12.1 The anatomical position.
2. Figure 12.2 Anatomical planes.
Chapter 13
1. Figure 13.1 Example theme map.
Chapter 14
1. Figure 14.1 Diagrammatic representation of Cushing's triad.
2. Figure 14.2 Application of a soft collar.
3. Figure 14.3 Needle thoracocentesis.
4. Figure 14.4 Neck of femur.
Chapter 15
1. Figure 15.1 Letters code the different waveform deflections of the ECG.
2. Figure 15.2 Electrical conduction system of the heart (min = minute).
3. Figure 15.3 12‐lead ECG.
Chapter 16
1. Figure 16.1 Layers of the heart.
2. Figure 16.3 Blood flow through the heart.
3. Figure 16.2 Coronary arteries of the heart.
4. Figure 16.4 Locating the dorsalis pedis pulse.
5. Figure 16.5 Locations for auscultating heart sounds.
Chapter 17
1. Figure 17.1 The organisation of the brain and spinal cord.
2. Figure 17.2 Cross‐section of the spinal cord.
3. Figure 17.3 Dermatomes of the body.
Chapter 18
1. Figure 18.1 Gastrointestinal system.
2. Figure 18.2 Hepatobiliary and pancreatic system.
3. Figure 18.3 Urinary system.
4. Figure 18.4 The four abdominal quadrants.
5. Figure 18.5 The nine abdominal regions.
6. Figure 18.6 Location of the ovaries.
7. Figure 18.7 Visceral structures.
8. Figure 18.8 Referred pain.
9. Figure 18.9 Surgical scar locations.
Chapter 19
1. Figure 19.1 Anatomy of the respiratory system: (a) the airways and (b) the l...
2. Figure 19.2 Anatomical landmarks of the anterior aspect of the chest.
3. Figure 19.3 Patient in tripod position.
4. Figure 19.4 Positions on the thorax for percussion and auscultation.
Chapter 20
1. Figure 20.1 Lateral position.
2. Figure 20.2 Pistol grip.
3. Figure 20.3 Triple airway manoeuvre.
4. Figure 20.4 Airway axes.
5. Figure 20.5 Oropharyngeal airway.
6. Figure 20.6 Nasopharyngeal airway.
7. Figure 20.7 Bag‐valve mask ventilation using the EC grip.
8. Figure 20.8 Supraglottic airways.
9. Figure 20.9 Laryngoscopy.
Chapter 21
1. Figure 21.1 Effacement of cervix.
2. Figure 21.2 Curve of carus.
3. Figure 21.3 Shoulder dystocia.
4. Figure 21.4 McRoberts’ position.
5. Figure 21.5 Umbilical cord prolapse.
Chapter 22
1. Figure 22.1 Meningitis.
2. Figure 22.2 Nonblanching rash of meningococcal septicaemia.
Chapter 23
1. Figure 23.1 Classic cellulitis.
2. Figure 23.2 Auto‐injector.
Chapter 25
1. Figure 25.1 Anatomical positions – knowing your anatomical positions/landmar...
2. Figure 25.2 Assessment and measurement of a wound.
3. Figure 25.3 The Ottawa Ankle Rules. An X‐ray image of the ankle is required ...
Chapter 26
1. Figure 26.1 METHANE model.
2. Figure 26.2 SAM mnemonic for assessing and reporting on a major incident.
3. Figure 26.3 The Triage Sort process.

This edition first published 2020
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Edition History
Wiley‐Blackwell (1e, 2015)

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Library of Congress Cataloging‐in‐Publication Data

Names: Willis, Sam, 1978– , editor. | Dalrymple, Roger, 1971– , editor.
Title: Fundamentals of paramedic practice : a systems approach / Sam Willis, Roger Dalrymple.
Description: Second edition. | Hoboken, NJ : Wiley‐Blackwell, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019024491| ISBN 9781119462958 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119462972 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781119462965 (epub)
Subjects: | MESH: Emergency Treatment | Emergency Medical Technicians | Emergency Medical Services | Professional Role
Classification: LCC RA975.5.E5 | NLM WB 105 | DDC 362.18–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/20190244911

Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: © Sarah Angelou

List of contributors

Alice Acutt
Advanced Care Paramedic, Julia Creek, Queensland, Australia

Craig Barlow
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust & Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK

Tianna Camilleri
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Queensland Health, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Roger Dalrymple
Professional Education and Leadership Programmes, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

Catherine J. Davison‐Fischer
Emergency Department Psychiatric Service, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK

Jan Davison‐Fischer
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

Matthew Faulkner
Anaesthetics North/Western Training Scheme, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Mark Ives
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK

Robb Kightley
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

Netta Lloyd‐Jones
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

Sonja Maria
School of Biomedical Sciences – Paramedicine, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

Jack Matulich
Intensive Care Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia

Duncan McConnell
School of Medicine, Griffith University and Queensland Ambulance Service, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Rozz McDonald
Mental Health Education Facilitator, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Brockworth, UK

Charlie McGurk
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Buckinghamshire, UK

Clair Merriman
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

Nevin Mehmet
Department of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich, London, UK

Gary Mellor
The Australian Paramedical College, Miami, Queensland, Australia

Georgina Pickering
School of Biomedical Sciences – Paramedicine, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

Helen Pocock
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Bicester, UK

Michael Porter
Critical Care Paramedic and Critical Care Flight Paramedic, Queensland Ambulance Service, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia

Nathan Puckeridge
Nursing, Paramedicine & Health Science Foundations, Victoria University Polytechnic, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Sue Putman
Mental Health and Learning Disability, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Bicester, UK

Ramon Z. Shaban
Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance Directorate, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia

Samantha Sheridan
School of Biomedical Sciences – Paramedicine, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

Dan Staines
Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare Practice, Coventry University, Coventry, UK

Kallai Sugden
Australia Aid, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Clare Sutton
School of Biomedical Sciences – Paramedicine, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

Ruth Townsend
School of Biomedical Science, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

Kellie Tune
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK

Sam Whitby
South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Buckinghamshire, UK

Steve Whitfield
Griffith University School of Medicine, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Queensland Ambulance Service, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Planet Medic, Agnes Waters, Queensland, Australia

Sam Willis
School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

Bede Wilson
Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Kerryn Wratt
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Paramedic, Ambulance Service Victoria, Omeo, Victoria, Australia
President, Australasian Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Society, Omeo, Victoria, Australia
CEO, RescueMED, Omeo, Victoria, Australia

Preface

This fully revised second edition is a cause for celebration. It not only builds on the strengths of the first edition, which continues to sell globally, but serves as an acknowledgement of the rapidly changing face of paramedicine. The first edition influenced the paramedic profession in many ways: for instance, it has been adopted as a key text at universities around the world, and it is also used as a go‐to guide by many clinicians and educators when they require a brief refresher on a given topic.

The face of paramedicine is rapidly changing. For example in the UK, paramedics are now able to prescribe certain medications, which reduces the burden of patients unnecessarily attending the emergency department. As mental health remains one of the key health priority areas in Australia and the UK, some regions can see specialist paramedics working with registered nurses to provide high‐quality care to meet the needs of mental health patients in the community. These examples allow us to see the confidence the medical profession, politicians, and the public have in paramedics. Paramedic education must also continue to evolve to take into account new evidence, as well as changes to clinical practices that are based upon expert opinion, written in the absence of high‐quality evidence.

So what is new about this second edition? It has been completely revised to ensure that it not only draws upon the most up‐to‐date research and evidence, but also reflects global economic and political changes that have impacts on the safe delivery of care by paramedics. Content revisions have occurred in every chapter, bringing them up to date with the most recent evidence.

This second edition also sees several brand new chapters which reflect the emerging developments in prehospital care. These include exciting new chapters on toxicology, medical terminology, and a chapter which acknowledges that ambulance service caseloads have a high incidence of low‐acuity situations.

Many of the existing chapters have been almost completely rewritten, some of those by new contributors, giving them a fresh new look. These include chapters on human factors, paramedic skills, trauma, and major incident management, two chapters now covering mental health due to the huge demand for such information, and the leadership chapter incorporates new content on mentorship and professional learning. This time around a number of the chapters feature discussions on the ever‐important topic of end‐of‐life care, something that remains central to paramedic practice.

Many of the chapter case studies have also been completely rewritten, and many of the end‐of‐chapter learning activities are new. We are also proud that this edition has maintained its strong connections with industry, drawing upon the many years’ experience of practising clinicians, mainly paramedics, and we must not forget the enormous contribution made by clinical academics, who teach the next generation of paramedics and undertake research, and who have shared their wisdom and expertise in this edition.

Australian and UK standards of education and clinical practice share huge similarities, with many Australian graduates travelling to the UK to work as paramedics at a number of ambulance services over the past decade. This edition places a wider emphasis on such similarities and will be attractive to those who are studying in the UK and Australia, by including a wider contribution from Australian academics and clinicians. However, the second edition will still be suitable for any student preparing to work in a healthcare system that is similar to those of the UK and Australia.

Overall, the revisions in this second edition provide a contribution to the paramedic literature and will be appealing to student paramedics starting out at university, and may be a gentle refresher to those clinicians who need to get their heads back in the book. It will be particularly useful to mentor paramedics who are tasked with the rewarding but challenging role of developing student paramedics, but cannot find a text that provides simplifications of complex themes in paramedic practice.

Sam Willis

Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice

A Systems Approach

List of contributors

Preface

Acknowledgements

About the companion website