Two photos split across one image. The left shows two paramedic students in training on a flight simulator. The right image shows the students in the flight simulator facing the camera with surgical masks on.
Two photos split across one image. The left shows two paramedic students in training on a flight simulator. The right image shows the students in the flight simulator facing the camera with surgical masks on.

Paramedics take flight to boost vital training skills

Paramedics take flight to boost vital training skills

Student paramedics have had a taste of the high life after stepping into UWL’s flight simulator to learn from aviators about the skills needed to cope with stress and manage error in unexpected situations.   

Students on UWL’s Paramedic Science MSc took over the flight simulator for a session on simulated learning this week to give them a whole new perspective and improve care.  

Two photos split across one image. The left shows two paramedic students in training on a flight simulator. The right image shows the students in the flight simulator facing the camera with surgical masks on.

Working in a collaboration with the aviation team at the University’s Lawrence Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism, trainees from the College of Midwifery and Nursing spent two days looking at how to focus on skills around ‘human factors’ while working. 

As well as testing their ability to cope with unexpected situations – something they will face daily when working as paramedics – the exercise gave them an insight into the way aviation students are taught to cope under pressure.  

Speaking about the importance of sharing teaching techniques in the training of pre-registrant clinicians, Neil Larman, Professional Lead for Paramedic Science at UWL, said it was a great example of how different areas of the University can benefit from the variety of facilities on campus.  

He said:

This situation helps our students learn a lot about how to approach challenging situations which is vital as paramedics never know what they are walking into when they are caring for patients. 

The aviation courses deliver excellent simulation training around managing human factors under pressure and to be able to deliver that expertise in order to have a positive impact on healthcare support is fantastic.” 

 

Making the most of the session, second-year Paramedic Science student, Olivia Douet, said:

This training tested how we react to different situations, putting us in unexpected scenarios and making us more aware of what to look out for and how to juggle different demands.  

It has been eye opening to see how these issues are taught in aviation and the focus on managing error, because as paramedics out on call, we end up in so many unexpected situations in the space of one shift where we need to stay calm and think quickly.” 

 

The collaboration is part of ongoing work across UWL to ensure all students have the very best training and support to go out and succeed in their careers, making the most of leading facilities and expert teaching staff and techniques. 

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