EMT-A/Advanced Paramedic Training Course Evaluation

PHECC is delighted that Professor Paul Finucane has agreed to conduct the evaluation of the EMT-A /Advanced Paramedic Training Course. Professor Finucane is well known to PHECC as he conducted an external evaluation of the first NQEMT examination, and is a member of our Accreditation Committee.


Professor Paul Finucane qualified in medicine from University College Cork in 1978 and has since worked overseas in the Yemen Arab Republic (as a ‘Concern’ volunteer), the UK and Australia. He has also worked as a Geriatrician and General Physician in several Irish hospitals, particularly in Cork, Limerick and Waterford. He has long been interested in medical education and is a former Vice-President of the Australasian & New Zealand Association of Medical Education and a former Director of Education with the Medical Council of Ireland.

This evaluation will take place over the calendar year 2005 and Professor Finucane will report to PHECC every three months on his findings on the first three courses. As part of the evaluation Professor Finucane will:
  • Reference the NATS/UCD course to the PHECC EMT-A Performance Standard; and
  • Benchmark the NATS/UCD course and the PHECC Performance Standard against International Best Practice e.g. the UK, North America and Australasia.
The purpose of the evaluation is to assist NATS/UCD develop and refine the course as well as guide PHECC in ongoing recognition of training institutions and approval of course content for EMT-A/Advanced Paramedic training.