PATIENT-PARAMEDIC TRUST CAN HELP FREE UP EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
Dr Robbie King,
Senior Advanced Care Paramedic/Community Paramedic,
Sunshine Coast District, Birtinya Station, Queensland Ambulance Service &
Lecturer & Researcher (Paramedicine), Australian Catholic University (ACU)
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Brisbane, Queensland | December 2024
Dr. Robbie King is a Senior Advanced Care Paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service and a community paramedic. He is also a lecturer at the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane. After studying paramedicine and working as a student paramedic since 2009, he recognised that most patients attended by ambulance services did not require emergency interventions.
About a decade ago, Queensland Ambulance implemented the Local Area Assessment and Referral Unit, a community paramedic program. In his role at Queensland Ambulance Service, Dr. King has spent the past six years focusing on patients who may not need traditional emergency responses. His work involves performing enhanced assessments to understand patients’ psychosocial needs and determining appropriate healthcare pathways.
Dr. King’s PhD research consisted of quantitative and qualitative studies. The quantitative study analysed data from 1.5 million people who contacted New South Wales Ambulance Service, revealing that 12.6% were not transported to emergency departments. Notably, around 43% received emergency responses, yet many were found simply in need of reassurance.
The qualitative study involved interviews with 21 subjects from various regions, leading to the development of a theory centred on self-efficacy. The findings indicated that patients often experienced a loss of independence but gained self-reliance and confidence through compassionate, competent care from paramedics, allowing them to better manage their circumstances after the paramedics left.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Dr Robbie King earlier this year on his findings and what it could mean for paramedicine policy, education and practice.
-
Taiwanese health and research delegation visit Paratus clinical trial site in Canberra
In late August 2025, a Taiwanese delegation comprising government officials from the Taiwanese FDA, various governmental groups, and physicians and researchers from across Taiwan, visited Paratus Clinical’s trial site in Canberra. Their objective was to explore both the differences and similarities between the clinical research ecosystems of Taiwan and Australia.
-
Rural allied health mentorship program creates opportunities for students and practice
Melanie Roll, a director and physiotherapist at Gen Health Hamilton, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of allied health professionals. Gen Health’s support begins with a work experience program for local secondary school students, where they can observe a variety of health services and participate in an annual careers night to explore allied health career pathways.
Upon moving to tertiary education, students are offered placements through a five-week program designed to transition them from observation to supervised practice and ultimately to seeing their own patients. In their final study year, they can apply for the mentorship program, which aids the transition into private practice.
-
Cost of living relief for students training in national skills shortage fields
The Australian Government is expanding the Commonwealth Prac Payment to eligible students in 10 additional frontline allied health disciplines, providing financial support during mandatory university placements.
From 1 July 2027, eligible students studying audiology, pharmacy, radiography, clinical psychology, physiotherapy, rehabilitation therapies, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology and paramedicine will be able to access the payment.
