Paramedics’ perspectives of the community paramedic role in Ontario-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Paramedics’ perspectives of the community paramedic role in Ontario

Published:2023-02-02 Issue:1 Volume:13 Page:18-25
ISSN:2052-4889
Container-title:International Paramedic Practice
language:en
Short-container-title:International Paramedic Practice

Author:

Agarwal Gina¹,Pirrie Melissa²,Angeles Ricardo³,Marzanek Francine⁴,Keenan Amelia⁵,McLeod Brent⁶,Cockerell Krista⁷,Reed Buck⁸

Affiliation:

1. Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada;

2. Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada;

3. Research Associate, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada;

4. Research Coordinator, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada;

5. Research Assistant, Department of Family Medicine; Graduate Student, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada;

6. Program Manager/Commander, Hamilton Paramedic Services, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada;

7. Sessional Academic, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia;

8. Lecturer in Paramedicine, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Background: Community paramedicine (CP) expands the paramedic role to emergency call prevention, yet little research has examined paramedics’ perspectives of CP. Aims: This study sought to explore paramedics’ views regarding the CP role and training. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey of Ontario paramedics measured perceptions, support and interest in CP. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. Findings Of the 452 participants, 57.5% were male, 43.6% primary care paramedics and 33.0% had a history of being on modified duty. Paramedics perceived CP to include treat-and-release (85.4%), community resource referrals (79.0%), expanded skills (77.9%), community education (75.9%) and follow-up (73.7%). Most were supportive (82.8%) and interested in participating (72.3%). Interest in training was lower in respondents with 20 or more years of service and higher in those with a history of modified duty ( p<0.05). Conclusion: Paramedics are aware the CP role has multiple functions and are supportive and interested in CP. This study has implications for services as CP expands globally.

Publisher

Mark Allen Group

Subject

General Medicine

Link

http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/pdf/10.12968/ippr.2023.13.1.18

Reference19 articles.

1. Effectiveness of a community paramedic-led health assessment and education initiative in a seniors’ residence building: the Community Health Assessment Program through Emergency Medical Services (CHAP-EMS)

2. Integrating community paramedicine with primary health care: a qualitative study of community paramedic views

3. The CHAP-EMS health promotion program: a qualitative study on participants’ views of the role of paramedics

4. Community paramedicine: A systematic review of program descriptions and training

5. Understanding the role of the paramedic in primary care: a realist review