A/Prof. Ben Meadley
1Ambulance Victoria , Doncaster, Australia, 2Monash University, Frankston, Australia
Abstract:
Aims: Providing transparency on the state of selection processes in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) across different services is a vital step in developing universal standards for HEMS aircrew. This study aimed to consolidate, rate and evaluate information on selection processes from nine HEMS across Australia and New Zealand.
Methods: This was a mixed methods study combining objective and subjective assessment of selection to HEMS teams. Service leaders representing aeromedical services across Australasia participated in semi-structured interviews to detail their selection processes. Selection assessments were then scored by independent SMEs using a pre-defined rating scale in order to evaluate characteristics of selection, including physiological intensity and task complexity. Further, SMEs explored themes of service leaders’ opinions on selection to HEMS teams.
Results: In evaluating the objective data in the context of service demographics, this study found that whilst job tasks were similar between services, selection processes and components differed significantly. However, qualitative exploration of service leaders’ opinion on selection criteria, job tasks and staff expectations closely aligned.
Conclusion: This study finds shortcomings in the state of HEMS team selection processes, and suggests a critical job task analysis at each service to verify the qualitative evaluations. These results may aid HEMS team leadership in developing evidence-based selection tests to ensure equitable and fair processes at their services, ensuring staff are suitable and safe to perform their critical roles.
Biographies:
Ben Meadley is a registered paramedic who commenced his career with Ambulance Victoria in 1998, followed by a period with New South Wales Ambulance from 1999-2003. Returning to Ambulance Victoria, Ben trained as an intensive care (MICA) paramedic in 2004, and an intensive care (MICA) flight paramedic in 2009. Ben completed his PhD at Monash University, investigating the physiological and cardiometabolic health of paramedics. Ben has developed expertise in prehospital critical care, paramedic education, and human performance in specialist teams. His research interests include respiratory and cardiovascular physiology, point of care ultrasound, blood component use in critical care, human performance optimisation, and helicopter search and rescue operations. Ben currently divides his time between clinical, systems improvement and research roles. He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine and was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal in 2023.