Education and clinical professional development in Penang, Malaysia

Background: This study considers the impact of the Intermediate Ambulance Care (IAC) Course on the development of prehospital care practice in Penang, Malaysia and considers how the course contributes to professional development. The research question asks what impact the education program has had in a rapidly changing emergency medical system (EMS) in Penang. Methods: Using a qualitative methodology, focused ethnography, data were collected from interviews, participation and observation of pre-hospital emergency care providers and medical professionals in Penang, Malaysia. Results: Four themes were identified. The themes describe how the participants’ values and beliefs contribute to the increasing professionalization of their role in health care. Conclusion: As well as increasing paramedic knowledge there was an observable change in participants’ values and beliefs about prehospital care and health outcomes. This has contributed to the professional development currently being experienced in prehospital care in Penang, Malaysia