22 replies to this topic

[cprted]

A lot of the material to cover in an EMR class (assuming EMR in the states is at least similar to EMR in Canada ... ) is teaching tactile skills (spinal motion restriction, applying a traction splint, CPR, AED, etc etc. In my limited teaching experience, what I've done is Discuss, Demonstrate, Describe, Do. After a discussion on principals of management or what-have-you, run a demonstration at normal speed, follow that up by a step by step demo with explanation, allow for some questions, and then turn your students loose in their groups to work through the skill. Once everyone has had a chance to practice the skill once or twice, we usually run full call simulations that incorporate what they just practised into the context of their patient assessment model.

[AnthonyM83]

What you might do is simply talk about each type of call or situation in a non-skills setting. Ideally, they'll get a little A&P and background on the topic first, but that can be really hard to do when new teaching. What's easy for me when teaching a new topic is to talk through a call, then stopping to explain things as they come up.

For example, childbirth. Lead them through a scenario...there'll be a lot of chance to stop and talk about additional BSI, knowing what's in their OB kits, how the call might be dispatched, how the patient might present (emotions of patient...fears students may have), questions you'll want to ask mother about current pregnancy, about past health/pregnancy, and about events that led to the call (signs of birth, etc).

Then progress to how you'd set up for delivery, the actual process, and complications they might come across, caring for both afterwards, post-delivery stuff (placenta, etc).

While you should never teach to the test, it's helpful to look at a skills testing sheet when setting up for it to make sure you cover each part. Maybe try to find a video on childbirth (youtube?). After, some discussion and questions.

Then maybe a break, then get to the skills. They'll probably want to go over it again. So talk through it again. and/or do one live version with a role-player mom, so they get to see the EMR-patient interaction.

Then, I personally like to do the first practice run all together as a class (I do it in front of the class, they do in their small groups), step by step, pausing so everyone catches up, so they don't all start skipping stuff. Having an outline on the board where they can all look up and see instead of trying to remember (or looking down at their skills sheet) is helpful too. After one run together, they get free practice.

If they start getting bored or distracted or feel they "got it", have those students do it in front of the class without their papers. Through some curve balls (breech, prolapsed, etc)

Then definitely a wrap up at the end for any questions.

Rinse and repeat for each topic/skill...might combine some if they're real short ones.

Oh, and as a new teacher, don't forget to practice it all yourself. Both the skills and teaching it. Practice the presentation. EMT partners make good practice audiences. They can think of some good questions to ask you that they had when they were students or that they think might be asked of you.

And if you choke up or mess up, play it cool, and just keep going. Correct yourself when needed, but just keep flowing. I always find it easier to teach if I get some informal chatting time with the students before class starts too...it helps break the ice on both ends (and so they'll be more interactive with you).

[scubanurse]

Your state doesn't require a teaching certificate to teach EMS? I would start with creating the course outline, curriculum, and then a lesson plan for each class. I would always have a binder per class and a tab for each class with the lesson plan and any materials I would need already ready to go.

The course outline should include the chapters covered and organized so you can be sure to cover all essential material in the time given. The curriculum is what the students get a copy of and should include your expectations for what they need to know by the end of the class, and should have your contact information incase they need to miss a class or arrive late.

The lesson plans should have an objective for each contact meeting. What you hope to teach them in that lesson and how you are going to do it. This is where I would make notes about a certain call I had run that was relevant. Be careful to not rely too much on past scenarios though.

As Anthony said, run through each lesson plan. Teaching is probably 75% prep work and only 25% actually teaching.

Good luck and remember to stay confident

[island emt]

It's been about 10 years since I taught a first responder class. As I understand the EMR [new terminology] course is basic airway, breathing , splinting , & bleeding control, CPR and very little else.
How many hours is the new standard course requirement?
It was 44 hours for the First responder level which is now history.

Teaching adults is very much like teaching 6 year olds, only you can use bigger words.

[Resqmedic]

Well keep it simple and fun, remember that it's not about you, it's about the class, what can you do to present the information in a dynamic and memorable way? OB is fun because you can have wacky scenarios, I like to always have one of the guys be the first "mom" to kick things off with a light note and break the ice. Make sure not to read the powerpoints to the class, great way to put them to sleep, just use them to highlight what you are saying. My powerpoints have as little text as possible to keep me from focusing on it and not on my class.