Table 1 Authors experiences of unique features to effective learning

The acuity of dispatch and response

Student paramedics often respond to situations where high acuity is either manifested by the clinical condition or perceived by patients or bystanders, affecting stress and concentration

Dynamic and hostile environments

The environments paramedics frequently operate in are dynamic and occasionally hostile including unknown residents, public areas, crowd events, and moving vehicles

Exposure to trauma/inaccessibility of rest and facilities

Students and their mentors may find it challenging to avoid exposure to traumatic situations and have limited opportunities for rest, affecting their ability to engage in focused learning

Working in small teams with limited resources

Paramedics often work in small teams with constrained resources, which can impact the availability of educational opportunities

Limited time/access to learning space

There may be limited time and suitable spaces for essential activities such as debriefing, meaningful learning conversations, and research