Australian Defence Force medics are being prepared for the reality of battle zones and peacekeeping missions by a teaching initiative that enables them to put their theory into practice in Canberra.
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ACT Health has hosted clinical placements for more than 20 ADF medics this year from the air force, navy and army at Canberra Hospital, where they learnt key skills for acute care and emergency and trauma nursing.
Captain Donna Retallack, from the ADF's Army School of Health, said the placements were part of an 18-month course, during which medics completed a diploma of nursing and a diploma in paramedical science.
The medics have had been in placements in the emergency department, peri-operative unit and surgical wards at Canberra Hospital.
"It gives them the chance to consolidate all the skills they've learnt in real time on real people," Captain Retallack said.
"They can find themselves in a battle zone or in a peacekeeping situation, where they may be using all of the skills they've learnt."
On Thursday, the ADF presented senior nursing staff at Canberra Hospital with certificates of appreciation for co-ordinating and hosting the clinical placements.
During the clinical placements the medics practised key skills like IV cannulation, airway management, time management, caring for patients and a holistic view of nursing, Captain Retallack said.
"We hope it sets them up, which I'm sure it does, for the continuation of their course and their deployments," she said.
"We've seen a growth in confidence [in the medics]. It's given them almost a reality check in how unwell people can be and an advancement of their skills."
The ADF was grateful for ACT Health and Canberra Hospital's support in providing the placements to the medics, especially because competition for placements could be stiff, Captain Retallack said.
Twenty-two medics and 12 students studying a diploma of nursing through Wodonga TAFE have participated in the placements this year.
ACT Chief Nurse Veronica Croome said the placements gave participants exposure to clinical situations that prepared them for whatever situation they might find themselves in.
"It prepares them for the reality of what they're going to see out in the field, in the overseas placements, in some of the areas they will go to," she said.
"Seeing it live in our emergency department, in our operating theatre, means that it's not something that you just read about or that you are exposed to in a simulated sense. It's real-life, critical situations and that's one of the best ways for them to learn I think."
Clinical placements for ADF medics will continue next year.
