S6 Ep5: Paediatric Mini-Series: Grief and Debrief for Difficult Paediatric Jobs
🩺 Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series, we step away from clinical procedures to explore something just as vital: grief and debrief after difficult paediatric cases. Whether it's a tragic outcome, a confronting resuscitation, or an emotionally charged encounter, these experiences leave a mark.
We talk candidly about the importance of reaching out, how to support each other, and how to create a culture where psychological safety and structured debriefing are the norm—not the exception.
Even the most experienced clinicians are not immune.
Grief and emotional residue don’t disappear with time—they need space, validation, and care.
🧰 Tools & Resources:
DTFB: 'Every Resus Needs a Debrief'
DFTB: 'Breaking Bad News'
The Ambulance Staff Charity
Beyond Blue
Mind
Employee Assistance Programs (individual organisations)
✅ Don’t forget to:
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#StudentParamedic #Paediatrics #Debrief #DifficultJobs #EMS #AndrewTagg #DontForgetTheBubbles #ParamedicPodcast #PrehospitalCare #Paramedic
DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own.
🩺 Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Paediatric Mini-Series, we explore one of the most important—and sometimes overlooked—aspects of paediatric care: analgesia. Effective pain management in children not only improves comfort but also reduces fear, builds trust, and improves outcomes.
We discuss the challenges in recognising and treating pain in children, practical approaches for safe analgesia, and debunk common myths that contribute to under-treatment.
🔑 Key Topics Covered:
Why pain in children is under-recognised and under-treated
Age-appropriate pain assessment tools (FLACC, Wong-Baker)
First-line pharmacological options: paracetamol, ibuprofen, intranasal fentanyl, morphine, entonox and methoxyflurane
Non-pharmacological approaches: parental involvement, play therapy, positioning
📊 Evidence Highlight:
A 2016 systematic review published in BMC Emergency Medicine found that pain is frequently under-assessed and under-treated in paediatric emergency settings.
Reference:
Shomaker K, Drennen J, Alletag MJ. Pain management in the paediatric emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Emerg Med. 2016;16(1):10. doi:10.1186/s12873-016-0078-2
✅ Only 42–60% of children received any analgesia for painful conditions
✅ There was a significant delay in administering analgesia—often over 60 minutes
✅ Under-treatment was more likely in younger children📚 Resources & Further Reading:
RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pain Management
WHO Guidelines on the Pharmacological Treatment of Pain in Children
Paediatric Pain Management Toolkit (PREDICT)
Don't Forget the Bubbles
ePALS – Pain and Sedation Module
🎧 Listen Now:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.
Subscribe to catch all episodes in the Paediatric Mini-Series, and don’t forget to leave a review!
DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. Please ensure that you follow your local guidelines, policies and procedures.
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S6 Ep3: Paediatric Mini-Series: Trauma in Children
In this third episode of our Paediatric Mini-Series, we tackle the critical topic of paediatric trauma—a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Dr Andrew Tagg, co-founder of Don't Forget the Bubbles and an expert in paediatric emergency care, joins us to walk through the unique considerations, common pitfalls, and high-yield strategies for managing the injured child.
From the subtle signs of serious injury to trauma team activation, we explore how trauma in children differs from adults and what clinicians need to know to manage these high-stakes situations effectively.
🔑 Key Topics Covered:
Why trauma is not just adult trauma in small bodies
Anatomical and physiological differences in children
The importance of early recognition and escalation
Common injuries by age and mechanism (e.g. falls, NAI, RTAs)
Paediatric-specific trauma assessments: ABCDE with a paeds lens
📚 Resources & Further Reading:
Don't Forget the Bubbles – Paediatric Trauma
ANZCOR Paediatric Advanced Life Support Guidelines
Resuscitation Council UK - Paediatric Advanced Life Support Guidelines
RCH Clinical Guidelines – Major Trauma
🎧 Listen Now:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review!
🚨 DISCLAIMER:
All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own. Please ensure you are following your local policies, protocols and guidelines.
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S6 Ep2: Paediatric Mini-Series: The 'ABC's' of Wheezing Children
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Paediatric Mini-Series!
In Episode 2 of our paediatric mini-series, we dive into the most common causes of wheeze in children—Asthma, Bronchiolitis, and Croup. Dr Andy Tagg walks us through how to clinically differentiate between these conditions and what to do in the pre-hospital setting.
Whether you're a student or practicing paramedic, you'll gain confidence in:
Recognising the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of respiratory distress
Differentiating between upper and lower airway conditions
Tailoring your approach to the underlying cause of the wheeze
Deciding when to escalate care or transport rapidly
Using bronchodilators, adrenaline, or supportive measures appropriately
📚 Recommended Resources
Don’t Forget The Bubbles – Detailed breakdown of paediatric respiratory presentations
Local guidelines on paediatric asthma, bronchiolitis, and croup
Airway and respiratory assessment tools for paramedics
⚡ Why It Matters
Wheeze is one of the most common paediatric presentations—but not all wheezes are the same. This episode gives you a practical framework to recognise and respond to the three big hitters: asthma, bronchiolitis, and croup.
🎧 Next up in the series:
🎙 Episode 3 – Trauma in Children
✅ Don’t forget to:
Subscribe & share
Rate and review
Follow us on Instagram: @thestudentparamedicpodcast
#StudentParamedic #Paediatrics #WheezingChild #Asthma #Bronchiolitis #Croup #AndrewTagg #DontForgetTheBubbles #ParamedicPodcast #PrehospitalCare #Paramedic
Welcome to Episode 1 of the Paediatric Mini-Series!
In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Andrew Tagg — emergency physician and co-founder of Don't Forget the Bubbles — to explore one of the most powerful tools in paediatric emergency care: the Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT).
💬 What We Cover:
🔺 What is the Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)?
🔺 The three components: Appearance, Work of Breathing, and Circulation to Skin
🔺 How to use the PAT in real-time, high-pressure scenarios
🔺 Clinical red flags to watch for
🔺 Practical tips for students and paramedics to build confidence and competence with paediatric patients
Whether you’re on placement, preparing for an OSCE, or heading into a paeds call for the first time — this episode will help you level up your clinical toolkit.
🧠 Key Takeaway:
The PAT is a rapid, visual, hands-off tool that can give you an immediate picture of a child's clinical status — before even touching them. It's about what you see, not just what you measure.
📚 Further Resources:
Don't Forget The Bubbles
DFTB - The Paediatric Assessment Triangle
Approach to Paediatrics with Dr Andy Tagg
DISCLAIMER: All of the opinions of each individual on 'The Student Paramedic Podcast' are their own.
Welcome to ‘The Student Paramedic Podcast’. This podcast is aimed at students, graduates, experienced clinicians and those interested in becoming a paramedic or those interested in prehospital medicine. We will delve into a range of topics such as: where the profession can take you, how to optimise your training, how to be successful in your transition into university, from classroom to on-road and from student to graduate, how to maintain longevity in the job and draw on principles from other professions. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
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