Aeromedical retrieval education aids clinical practice
Senior doctors and nurses recently engaged in a residential workshop in aeromedical retrieval to enhance their clinical practice.
Seven students participated in the HEA581 Adult and Obstetric Retrieval Residential, which was held at the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Casuarina campus from 18–20 October.
Developed in partnership with the National Critical Care Trauma Response Centre, CareFlight (NT) and The Royal Flying Doctor Services (SA and Central Operations), this course aims to be practical and industry-relevant to retrieval medical officers, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals.
The students consisted of two nurses and five doctors who came from the Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga.
The students learnt a range of skills and techniques to provide better critical care in the retrieval and transport space to support them when responding to critical incidents such as serious acute illness, vehicle accidents or disasters.
They participated in a range of workshops and practical sessions covering the principles behind aeromedical retrieval, responding to trauma, splinting, managing serious bleeding and applying an emergency airway.
The residential also covered obstetrics and childbirth, managing haemorrhage with minimal resources, preeclampsia and premature birth. Students practiced their teamwork approach in a variety of real case scenarios.
CDU Menzies School of Medicine Senior Lecturer Paul Bell, who has a background in retrieval nursing, midwifery and intensive care, in addition to his position at CDU, said the training enabled the clinicians to apply critical thinking and analysis, as well as relevant skill, to their aeromedical retrieval work.
“The training will enhance their knowledge to be a better clinician, improve their clinical thinking on the ground and build their academic standing,” Bell said.
“These are very experienced doctors and nurses, but we’re passing on our experiences and nuances from the Australian Retrieval Organisations for best practice so they may be able to take some things away to aid their own practice.”
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