The Student Paramedic Podcast

🩺 Episode Overview: In the final episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series , we focus on a rapidly growing challenge for healthcare providers — adolescent mental health . Adolescents are navigating identity, independence, and social pressures, all while being at higher risk of developing mental health conditions. Dr Andrew Tagg shares insights on recognising when a young person is in crisis, communic...

🩺 Episode Overview: In this episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series , we step away from clinical procedures to explore something just as vital: grief and debrief after difficult paediatric cases . Whether it's a tragic outcome, a confronting resuscitation, or an emotionally charged encounter, these experiences leave a mark. We talk candidly about the importance of reaching out, how to support each...

🩺 Episode Overview: In this episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series , we explore one of the most important—and sometimes overlooked—aspects of paediatric care: analgesia . Effective pain management in children not only improves comfort but also reduces fear, builds trust, and improves outcomes. We discuss the challenges in recognising and treating pain in children, practical approaches for safe ana...

In this third episode of our Paediatric Mini-Series , we tackle the critical topic of paediatric trauma —a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Dr Andrew Tagg, co-founder of Don't Forget the Bubbles and an expert in paediatric emergency care, joins us to walk through the unique considerations, common pitfalls, and high-yield strategies for managing the injured child. From the subt...

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Paediatric Mini-Series! In Episode 2 of our paediatric mini-series, we dive into the most common causes of wheeze in children— Asthma, Bronchiolitis, and Croup . Dr Andy Tagg walks us through how to clinically differentiate between these conditions and what to do in the pre-hospital setting. Whether you're a student or practicing paramedic, you'll gain confidence in: Re...

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Paediatric Mini-Series! In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Andrew Tagg — emergency physician and co-founder of Don't Forget the Bubbles — to explore one of the most powerful tools in paediatric emergency care: the Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) . 💬 What We Cover: 🔺 What is the Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)? 🔺 The three components: Appearan...

Welcome back to 'The Student Paramedic Podcast'. In the first episode of 2025, we have a chat with Nick Abussi about what clinical decision making entails, how do we develop it from student to experienced clinician, how to be cognisant of cognitive bias and some tools to improve our clinical decision making. Nick is a critical care paramedic, apart of 'The Shift Extension' and 'Explor-a Medicine'...

Welcome back to 'The Student Paramedic Podcast'. In this episode, Dannie Wurtz and Neil Noble sit down and discuss Australian recruitment for the USA. They answer FAQ that they have had to navigate with their cohorts of Australian paramedics and what a career and experience working in the USA can look like. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity. To learn more, please follow the following link...

Welcome back to the FINAL episode of the 'Research Mini-Series'. In this episode, Dr Sandy MacQuarrie helps us understand if the research that we are looking at is reliable and of good quality. This is crucial in all stages of our careers, from university student, to paramedic on road, to completing a research study. Our practice needs to be guided by evidence-based study and information.  Topics...

Welcome back to the 'Research Mini-Series'. This episode follows on from starting out with a research idea and delves into different types of research methodology and the next steps in the process. Dr Sandy MacQuarrie helps us break down these concepts into easy to follow ideas. Have a passion or a strong interest in what you want to study. For all of the current researchers and educators spark im...

Welcome back to the 'Research Mini-Series'.  Things we've discussed in this episode to help you on your journey: Setting up 'Google Scholar Alerts' Using platforms such as: EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley etc. to keep all of your articles in one place - this can assist you with finding out a methodology to use and you may find that there are the same groups of people doing particular studies around your...

Welcome back to the Research Mini-Series! In this episode we interview paramedic, Abbie Little on her journey from paramedic to PhD candidate! In this episode we break down some of the attitudes and barriers that people have towards getting started in research. Abbie discusses her experience, the positives, the challenges and what she would like others to take away from this. Here is the link to h...

Welcome to the first episode of our 'Research Mini-Series'. In this episode, we have a discussion with Dr Sandy MacQuarrie. Sandy is a paramedic, educator and researcher who has inspired both new knowledge as well as other students and clinicians in their research journey's. Today we discuss Sandy's journey into research and the exciting places that it has led him. We also have a fantastic giveawa...

In 2024 we are trying something a little different & having a deep dive into certain topics.  We wanted to change the ideas and attitudes held towards research. Dr Sandy MacQuarrie helps us tackle this topic, inspire and spark imagination! We have special guest Abbie Little, who shares her full circle experience.  This topics is broken down into easy and digestible episodes to help navigate ch...

Welcome back to 'The Student Paramedic Podcast'. This week we have a conversation with Dr Josh Allison from Unique Expeditions .  Josh is an Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Doctor based in London. Over the years he has gained field experience across the globe, where he provides medical support for teams heading into remote and austere environments. Whether navigating 7,000m Andean mountains, Am...

Sam is a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedic with a passion for adventure. He has been involved in expeditions and adventures across the world in the role of a paramedic. This week we have a chat about his experiences, what it means to be a paramedic on a expeditions, some of the various clinical challenges and how to navigate scope of practice etc. Examples of courses:  https://www.r2ri...

This week we have a chat to Jim Davies. Jim has an extensive career in the adventure business from white water rafting, pack rafting, canyoning etc. Jim moved from Australia to Scotland and created Ace Adventures . He then decided to become a paramedic, having recently finished his course. In today's episode we talk about the anecdotal benefits of adventure for the first responder community.  DISC...

Welcome back to another episode of 'The Student Paramedic Podcast'. To follow on from the most previous episode, we have a chat to Carl Dowling about his alternative paramedic pathway experience. From Carl: “I am currently an active paramedic who works primarily as clinical educator in the United Kingdom delivering resuscitation training to healthcare staff for the NHS Trust. In my spare time I as...

This week we have a chat to Andy Bell, currently the lead paramedic of the RFDS, about what a career in paramedicine can look like. He discusses the skill set and attributes that make paramedics desirable in various roles and roles that paramedics can do outside of the traditional roles.   DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. See omny...

This week we have a chat with Silas Houghton Budd about the elusive ECG/EKG. Silas is a critical care / HEMS paramedic with experience in NHS critical care and motorsport medicine roles. He has professional interests in airway management, resuscitation and ECG interpretation, and research experience in paramedic airway management. Silas has been teaching ECG interpretation for nearly ten years and...

This week we have a chat with Amy Gomes, Critical Care Paramedic and A/Clinical Support Officer, educator and co-founder of Paramedic Education Australia. We have a discussion about 'End of Life' care and navigating the challenging aspects of this in the prehospital world.  Amy Gomes Linkedin Free QUT End of Life Resource DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic...

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This week we have a chat to accredited practising dietitian and director of  Bite Me Nutrition Jonathan Steedman. We have a chat about how to approach nutrition for shift work, the impacts on our bodies and hunger levels, fuelling during the awkward shift times and how to approach nutrition in general.  DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on ‘The Student Paramedic Podcast’ are their...

This week we have a chat to Dr David Convissar, Cardiac Anesthesiologist, SICU & CTICU Intensivist, clinical instructor at Harvard Medical and creator of 'Count Backwards From 10' .  We go through some common cardiovascular terms such as blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, preload, afterload and contractility before talking about cardiogenic shock. This is often a forgotten and misundersto...

This week on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' we have a chat to paramedic Glenn Ryan, also known as 'Your Paramedic Mentor' on Instagram. We discuss setting yourself up for success when it comes to placement and the various expectations, how to approach university and when it comes to applications and assessment days.  DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Pod...