S4 Ep16: How to Become Better at Making Decisions w/ Critical Care Paramedic Nick Abussi

🩺 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, communicating effectively, and using the HEADSSS screening tool to structure safe, supportive, and thorough psychosocial evaluations in the prehospital and acute care settings. 📊 Why It Matters: WHO reports that 1 in 7 adolescents experiences a mental disorder, and many never access help until crisis point.  A structured approach like HEADSSS helps clinicians move from small talk to meaningful assessment without missing key risks.🧰 Resources & Further Reading: Don’t Forget The Bubbles – HEEADSSS Tool Headspace (Australia) – Youth Mental Health Services YoungMinds (UK) – Adolescent Support and Advocacy WHO Adolescent Mental Health Overview Mental Health First Aid Training 🧠 Take-Home Message: The HEADSSS tool gives you a roadmap to guide delicate conversations, uncover hidden risks, and connect young people to the support they need — sometimes for the very first time. DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. 

🩺 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 other, and how to create a culture where psychological safety and structured debriefing are the norm—not the exception. Even the most experienced clinicians are not immune. Grief and emotional residue don’t disappear with time—they need space, validation, and care. 🧰 Tools & Resources: DTFB: 'Every Resus Needs a Debrief' DFTB: 'Breaking Bad News' The Ambulance Staff Charity Beyond Blue Mind Employee Assistance Programs (individual organisations) ✅ Don’t forget to: Subscribe & share Rate and review Follow us on Instagram: @thestudentparamedicpodcast #StudentParamedic #Paediatrics #Debrief #DifficultJobs #EMS #AndrewTagg #DontForgetTheBubbles #ParamedicPodcast #PrehospitalCare #Paramedic DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. 

🩺 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 analgesia, and debunk common myths that contribute to under-treatment. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Why pain in children is under-recognised and under-treated Age-appropriate pain assessment tools (FLACC, Wong-Baker) First-line pharmacological options: paracetamol, ibuprofen, intranasal fentanyl, morphine, entonox and methoxyflurane Non-pharmacological approaches: parental involvement, play therapy, positioning 📊 Evidence Highlight: A 2016 systematic review published in BMC Emergency Medicine found that pain is frequently under-assessed and under-treated in paediatric emergency settings. Reference: Shomaker K, Drennen J, Alletag MJ. Pain management in the paediatric emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Emerg Med. 2016;16(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12873-016-0078-2 ✅ Only 42–60% of children received any analgesia for painful conditions ✅ There was a significant delay in administering analgesia—often over 60 minutes ✅ Under-treatment was more likely in younger children📚 Resources & Further Reading: RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pain Management WHO Guidelines on the Pharmacological Treatment of Pain in Children Paediatric Pain Management Toolkit (PREDICT) Don't Forget the Bubbles ePALS – Pain and Sedation Module 🎧 Listen Now: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app. Subscribe to catch all episodes in the Paediatric Mini-Series, and don’t forget to leave a review! DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. Please ensure that you follow your local guidelines, policies and procedures. 

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 subtle signs of serious injury to trauma team activation, we explore how trauma in children differs from adults and what clinicians need to know to manage these high-stakes situations effectively. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Why trauma is not just adult trauma in small bodies Anatomical and physiological differences in children The importance of early recognition and escalation Common injuries by age and mechanism (e.g. falls, NAI, RTAs) Paediatric-specific trauma assessments: ABCDE with a paeds lens 📚 Resources & Further Reading: Don't Forget the Bubbles – Paediatric Trauma ANZCOR Paediatric Advanced Life Support Guidelines Resuscitation Council UK - Paediatric Advanced Life Support Guidelines RCH Clinical Guidelines – Major Trauma 🎧 Listen Now: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review! 🚨 DISCLAIMER:  All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. Please ensure you are following your local policies, protocols and guidelines. 

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: Recognising the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of respiratory distress Differentiating between upper and lower airway conditions Tailoring your approach to the underlying cause of the wheeze Deciding when to escalate care or transport rapidly Using bronchodilators, adrenaline, or supportive measures appropriately 📚 Recommended Resources Don’t Forget The Bubbles – Detailed breakdown of paediatric respiratory presentations Local guidelines on paediatric asthma, bronchiolitis, and croup Airway and respiratory assessment tools for paramedics ⚡ Why It Matters Wheeze is one of the most common paediatric presentations—but not all wheezes are the same. This episode gives you a practical framework to recognise and respond to the three big hitters: asthma, bronchiolitis, and croup. 🎧 Next up in the series: 🎙 Episode 3 – Trauma in Children ✅ Don’t forget to: Subscribe & share Rate and review Follow us on Instagram: @thestudentparamedicpodcast #StudentParamedic #Paediatrics #WheezingChild #Asthma #Bronchiolitis #Croup #AndrewTagg #DontForgetTheBubbles #ParamedicPodcast #PrehospitalCare #Paramedic

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: Appearance, Work of Breathing, and Circulation to Skin 🔺 How to use the PAT in real-time, high-pressure scenarios 🔺 Clinical red flags to watch for 🔺 Practical tips for students and paramedics to build confidence and competence with paediatric patients Whether you’re on placement, preparing for an OSCE, or heading into a paeds call for the first time — this episode will help you level up your clinical toolkit. 🧠 Key Takeaway: The PAT is a rapid, visual, hands-off tool that can give you an immediate picture of a child's clinical status — before even touching them. It's about what you see, not just what you measure. 📚 Further Resources: Don't Forget The Bubbles DFTB - The Paediatric Assessment Triangle Approach to Paediatrics with Dr Andy Tagg DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. 

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'. Please check out these links for more incredible information. DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. 

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 links and reach out to Dannie and Neil:   International Medic Solutions and Australia EMS.  DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own.

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 discussed include: Predatory journals Impact factor of a journal Q rating  Date submitted vs. date published  Peer reviewed  Heirarchy of evidence and strength Frameworks such as CASP and JBI DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own.

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 imagination in students and colleagues. Please check out the textbook Introducing, Designing and Conducting Research for Paramedics for further information. DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own.