Practical guidance for aspiring and established clinical academic paramedics
In Research-focused Careers for Paramedics, a team of distinguished paramedic researchers provide practical guidance to support clinical academic career development. Written to support paramedics across the globe who have an interest in research, this book offers a guide through the stages of a research-focused career, from novice to expert. Supported by international case studies from 15 paramedics at various stages of their own research-focused career, this book provides real-world guidance for aspiring and established clinical academic paramedics.
Readers will find:
- Expert advice on career development, mentorship, networking and funding applications for research grants and fellowships
- Comprehensive explorations of the paramedic education systems across multiple countries
- Practical discussions of the authors' four-stage career model of paramedic research: novice, competent, proficient, expert
- Real-world case studies shedding light on the opportunities and challenges posed by each stage of the paramedic research career model
Perfect for practicing paramedics with an interest in research, Research-focused Careers for Paramedics will also benefit students of paramedicine and researchers with a background in paramedicine.
About the Contributors xi
About the Editors xix
List of Case Study Authors xxiii
Foreword xxv
Preface xxix
Section 1: Setting the Scene for Clinical Academic Paramedics 1
Chapter 1: The Role and Importance of Clinical Academics in Paramedicine 3
Scott Fraser Sim Munro and Gregory Adam Whitley
What Is a Clinical Academic? 4
The Importance and Benefits of Clinical Academic Careers 6
Benefits to the Individual 6
Benefits to Patients 7
Benefits to Organisations 7
Introducing the Clinical Academic Pathway 9
Stages of the Clinical Academic Pathway 10
Novice Researcher 10
Competent Researcher 11
Proficient Researcher 11
Expert Researcher 12
Challenges and Barriers to Becoming a Clinical Academic 13
Overcoming Barriers and Addressing Challenges 14
Funding Options 17
Navigating the Funding Landscape 18
Government Grants, Fellowships, and Research Funding Programs 19
Academic Institution Scholarships and Fellowships 19
Professional Organisations and Charitable Foundations 20
Industry Partnerships and Collaborations 21
Exploring Small Grant Schemes 22
The Challenges of Contract- Based Employment 23
Chapter Summary 24
References 24
Chapter 2: History of Ambulance Services, Paramedics, and Research in
Paramedicine 27
Ben Meadley
Introduction 28
Early Beginnings and Challenges in Ambulance Services 28
Evolution of the Paramedic 32
Paramedic Role 32
Paramedic Education 33
Paramedics in Research and Academia 36
Chapter Summary 40
Exemplars of Paramedic- Led Research 41
Conclusion 44
References 44
Further Reading 47
Chapter 3: Education 49
Brendan Shannon and Alan Michael Batt
Introduction 50
Early Considerations 52
Undergraduate Research/Evidence- Based Practice Module 52
Publishing as a Student (CPD Articles, Literature Reviews) 52
Networking 53
The Clinician Academic Pathway 54
Bachelors- Level Study 54
Pre- registration Bachelors 55
Bachelors Top- up Degrees 55
Honours Bachelors Degrees 55
The Gap Between Bachelor- and Masters- Level Study 56
Masters- Level Study 56
Types of Masters Degree 56
Selecting a Topic of Research 57
The Gap Between Masters- and Doctoral- Level Study 60
Doctoral- Level Study 60
Should I Do a PhD/DPhil or a Professional Doctorate? 60
Developing a Doctoral Research Application/Proposal 61
Selecting a Topic 62
Selecting a Supervisory Team 64
Full- Time Versus Part- Time Study 65
Dealing with Difficult Times 67
Different Routes to the Same Destination 68
After the Degree 70
Supervising the Next Generation 71
Some Final Thoughts 71
Conclusion 72
References 72
Section 2: Career Stages and Case Study Exemplars 75
Chapter 4: Novice Researcher 77
Elisha Miller
Beginning a Career as a Novice Paramedic Researcher 78
Paramedics Participating in Research 81
Paramedic Participation in Clinical Trials 84
Paramedic Participation in Other Research 86
Paramedics Delivering Research 87
Bridging Academia and Practice Bachelors- and Masters- Level Education
90
Bachelors- Level Education 91
Masters- Level Education 93
Chapter Summary 96
Case Studies in Paramedic Research 97
References 107
Further Reading 110
Chapter 5: Competent Researcher 111
Georgette Eaton
Defining a Competent Paramedic Researcher 112
Paramedics Designing Research 114
Finding the Problem that Needs Addressing Through Research 114
Learning How to Design Research 115
Positioning 118
Funding 119
Paramedics Leading Research 121
Defining Objectives and Planning Research 121
Team Management 122
Ensuring Compliance 123
Dissemination 123
Inspiring Future Paramedic Researchers 124
Chapter Summary 125
References 135
Further Reading 136
Chapter 6: Proficient Researcher 137
Walter Tavares
Introduction to the Proficient Researcher Role 140
Transitioning from Competent to Proficient Researcher 142
Responsibilities of the Proficient Researcher 144
Funding Leadership 145
Team Leadership 146
Frameworks for Proficiency in Research 147
Additional Frameworks for Understanding Proficiency in Research 150
Common Themes Across Frameworks 152
Personal Attributes and Support Needs of Proficient Researchers 154
Chapter Summary 157
Case Studies 159
References 169
Further Reading 170
Chapter 7: Expert Researcher 173
Peter OMeara and Malcolm Boyle
What Is an Expert Paramedic Researcher? 175
Motivations for Pursuing a Research Career 179
Department Leadership 180
Academia 181
Benefits of Pursuing a Research Career 182
Why Is It Important to Engage with Experienced Paramedicine Researchers?
183
Challenges of Pursuing a Research Career 185
Top Tips from Expert Researchers 187
Future Direction 188
Chapter Summary 189
Case Studies 189
References 198
Section 3: Expert Advice 201
Chapter 8: Expert Advice 203
Julia Williams
Introduction 204
Research as a Career Choice 207
The Role of Mentoring 210
The Power of Networking 211
Crafting Effective Funding Applications 213
Overcoming Common Challenges 219
Insights into Applying for a Personal Research Award 223
Biography and Current Role 223
What a Strong Funding Application Should Include 224
Common Pitfalls 226
Key Points from Professor Pattison 226
Chapter Summary 227
References 227
Index 229
Gregory A. Whitley is a Paramedic Research Fellow for the East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and an Associate Professor in Paramedic Science at the University of Lincoln, UK.
Scott Munro is a Critical Care Paramedic for the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and a Lecturer in Paramedic Practice at the University of Surrey, UK.
