215-BSc Remote Paramedic Practice graduate Kevin Fox

In this episode of the CoROM Podcast, Aebhric O'Kelly speaks with Kevin Fox, a Belgian EMT, maritime security professional and recent graduate of CoROM's BSc in Remote Paramedic Practice. Kevin's journey into medicine began following the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks. Working in security at the time, he realised he lacked the medical knowledge to help casualties in a similar emergency. That experience eventually led him through tactical medical training, Belgian EMT education and CoROM's three-year degree. Kevin discusses his clinical placements in South Africa and Suriname, where he gained experience managing polytrauma, paediatric emergencies, childbirth and tropical infectious diseases. He describes how resource limitations challenged him to improvise, adapt and develop clinical judgement while working alongside local medical teams. The conversation then turns to tropical medicine in Europe. Kevin shares two memorable ambulance cases involving patients returning from India and Italy, explaining how a detailed travel history helped him recognise possible malaria and dengue. These experiences inspired his proposed research into incorporating recent travel more explicitly into prehospital patient assessment. Kevin also discusses his dissertation on Belgium's dengue preparedness, the importance of community education and his plans for further research and postgraduate study. Finally, he reflects on his three years at CoROM, the value of supervised clinical placements and the importance of recognising one's limitations. His advice to clinicians entering remote medicine is simple: test your equipment, remain self-critical and never become a toxic leader. 00:00 – Introducing Kevin Fox: From maritime security to remote paramedicine. 01:04 – The Brussels Terrorist Attacks: The event that inspired Kevin to pursue medical training. 03:05 – Why a Bachelor's Degree?: Professional development and European academic recognition. 04:30 – Future Academic Ambitions: Tropical medicine and postgraduate opportunities. 06:34 – Clinical Placements in Suriname: How TTEMS prepared Kevin for remote clinical practice. 08:35 – Why Suriname?: Language, culture and healthcare challenges. 10:30 – Working in a Surinamese Emergency Department: Trauma assessment and growing clinical responsibility. 13:12 – Memorable Clinical Cases: Polytrauma, paediatric emergencies and delivering a baby. 14:54 – Tropical Diseases in Suriname: Dengue, chikungunya and patients presenting with sepsis. 16:51 – Knowing Your Limitations: Clinical supervision, teamwork and asking for help. 20:10 – Three Years at CoROM: Practical training, student experiences and suggestions for improvement. 23:11 – Advice for First-Year Students: Why anatomy and physiology matter later in clinical practice. 25:28 – Kevin's Dissertation: Dengue preparedness and the establishment of tiger mosquitoes in Belgium. 28:44 – The Importance of Travel History: Recognising malaria in a patient returning from India. 30:00 – Could It Be Dengue?: A patient returning from Italy challenges clinical assumptions. 32:01 – The SAMPLER Research Project: Investigating tropical fever recognition among Belgian ambulance personnel. 33:48 – Tropical Medicine in Europe: Why clinicians need to consider emerging and imported infections. 35:19 – UK Paramedic Registration: Kevin's professional plans after graduation. 36:05 – Maritime and Offshore Medicine: Combining paramedicine with maritime security. 37:05 – Continuing Education: Tropical medicine, clinical laboratory skills and professional networks. 39:02 – Advice for Austere Clinicians: Never assume, remain self-critical and avoid toxic leadership. 40:25 – Closing Remarks. Chapters