Doctorate
Doctorate Title: A validated tool for assessing task-oriented physical preparedness of South African emergency medical care students.
Doctorate Description: The central aim, and unique contribution, of this doctoral study was the development of a valid tool for the assessment of physical preparedness of South African EMC students enrolled in an undergraduate professional Bachelor of Health Science Degree in Emergency Medical Care (BHSc EMC).
The study followed an exploratory, sequential mixed methods design, beginning with a literature review that included a review of existing published literature and documentation to contextualise and frame the research. The findings from the literature review were used to inform the development of a purpose designed survey questionnaire which consisted mainly of closed ended questions generating mostly quantitative data. The survey questionnaire was pre-piloted before being distributed to respondents who were emergency medical care students registered for either their third or fourth year of study in the BHSc EMC programme, as well as academic staff members engaged in the teaching of the Medical Rescue and/or Physical Preparedness modules at the participating higher education institutions (HEIs). The quantitative data from the survey questionnaire was then analysed and the outcomes were used to develop an agenda for follow-on focus group interviews. These, in turn, produced qualitative data to develop a deeper understanding of the research problem and current context. A critical reflection on the findings constructed from the literature review, the questionnaire, and the focus group discussions allowed the researcher to design a specific battery of tests. These tests focused on comparing existing elements and approaches used by the universities for the assessment of physical preparedness to already accepted and validated tests. The final phase of the study involved a sample of students from the participating universities completing the battery of tests that were specifically selected for the study. Analysis of, and critical reflection on the students’ performance in the testing phase of the study as well as pragmatic considerations relating to the setting up and conducting of each test in the EMC student education context were then used to develop, refine and defend the final physical preparedness tool proposed by the researcher.
Details:
Type: PhD
University: Durban University of Technology
Primary Supervisor: Prof Craig Vincent Lambert
Category: Education
Funding:
Start Date: 2018
End Date: 2024
Status: Complete
Thesis
ThesisResearch Interests
Publications
Muhlbauer D, Vincent-Lambert C, Coopoo Y. Emergency Care Education in South Africa and the Unique Requirement of Physical Preparedness: A Scoping Review. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine. 2021;18:1-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.878
