Barriers to paramedic education in black and ethnic minority (BME) groups
Farquharson, Natalie Dudley, Robert Hardwick, Sharon Zandbeek, Jennifer
Farquharson, Natalie
Dudley, Robert
Hardwick, Sharon
Zandbeek, Jennifer
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Abstract
Abstract published with permission.
Purpose: To gain an understanding of how Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
groups respond to information about paramedic courses, their experience of the
enrolment processes and their experience of paramedic training.
Methodology: Telephone interviews were conducted with qualified paramedics
and student paramedics from BME groups.
Findings: Interviews revealed issues in relation to the accessibility and
understanding of information on paramedic education and a lack of information
in preparation for paramedic courses, causing unrealistic expectations. A lack of
diversity in the student population, incidences of racial offence (unconscious or
conscious), and a lack of visibility of BME staff in the ambulance service as well
as in the wider community were identified.
Practical implications: The results produced from this evaluation may contribute
towards a series of recommendations in order to better inform practice to
increase the diversity of students entering into paramedic science and in order to
avoid issues such as student attrition.