The Utility of Offering Course Subjects on Family Support for Paramedics in an Undergraduate Curriculum

Abstract

Current paramedics face difficulties in providing family support in practice, but they have not received sufficient education on this topic. It’s believed that education on supporting patients and their families is necessary for students who aspire to become paramedics, but a standardized curriculum has yet to be established. A survey was conducted to evaluate the educational effectiveness of the new course, “Emergency Medical Family Support Theory”, which was designed to deepen students’ theoretical and ethical understanding of patient and family support. This course aims to help students grasp the perspectives and suffering of the sick and disaster-vulnerable, enabling them to provide effective support. After taking this inaugural course, students in the Department of Emergency Medical Science were able to deepen their understanding of the core principles of family support, including family developmental stages and family roles. This knowledge is crucial for them to properly address the patient as part of the family unit in the field of emergency medicine. The students’ learning spanned a wide range of topics, including family theory and models, family psychology, family sociology, family nursing, and family therapy. This enabled them to better understand and support the sick and the disaster-vulnerable. The establishment and offering of the course, “Emergency Medical Family Support Theory”, proved to be highly valuable for students aiming to become paramedics.