An Introduction to Coastal Wilderness Medicine: BEACCHEs

Abstract

Introduction:

Beginning Education at Central Coast Hospitals (BEACCHEs) was developed as an experiential wilderness experience to assist with student exposure to new hazards when commencing at a coastal regional hospital. The coast has several hazards which are specific to the area.

Aim:

To provide students with first responder education for situations commonly encountered on the Central Coast.

Methods:

Sessions on first responder training specific to coastal and remote locations included: first aid and surf safety with the Ocean Beach Surf-Lifesaving Club and anti-venom education with the Australian Reptile Park. Education was provided regarding the transition from academic to clinical medicine including support and workload management. A two-day workshop was held on the Central Coast. Pre- and post-workshop surveys were conducted with a combination of matrix questions, Likert response scales, and long answer questions. Ethics was obtained. Both quantitative and qualitative responses were analyzed.

Results:

Excellent feedback regarding this program was received. All students reported an increase in knowledge in all three domains of critical medicine and evacuation issues, student health and workload management, and Central Coast community and environment. The areas of greatest knowledge in each of these domains were the management of surf incidents, signs and symptoms of PTSD, and Central Coast marine and ocean environment. A confidence increase was seen in responding effectively to an emergency, particularly, in response to improvisation in the field. All findings were statistically significant with all P-values <0.01.

Discussion:

The addition of BEACCHEs to the orientation of medical students at the Central Coast Medical School has demonstrated to be an effective program for allowing students to adjust more quickly to the new clinical environment. Following the success of this program, BEACCHEs is expected to become part of the new Junior Medical Officer orientation in 2019.