References

Anderson A, Rolan M. Potential for advice from doctors to reduce the number of patients referred to emergency departments by NHS 111 call handlers: observational study. BMJ.. 2015; 5:(11)

Ang WC, Swain N, Gale C. Evaluating communication in healthcare: Systematic review and analysis of suitable communication scales. JComm Healthc.. 2013; 6:(4)216-222

Belling R, McLaren S, Paul M The effect of organisational resources and eligibility issues on transition from child and adolescent to adult mental health services. J Health Serv Res Polic.. 2014; 19:(3)169-176

Bigham BL, Kennedy SM, Drennan I, Morrison LJ. Expanding Paramedic Scope of Practice in the Community: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2013; 17:(3)361-372

Blodgett J, Robertson D, Ratcliffe D, Rockwood K. Creating a safety net for patients in crisis: paramedic perspectives towards a GP referral scheme. J Paramed Pract.. 2017; 9:(1)

Braun V, Clarke V. What can ‘thematic analysis’ offer health and wellbeing researchers?. Int J Qual Stud Health Wellbeing. 2014; 9:(10)

Brooker MJ, Simmonds RL, Purdy S. Patients who call emergency ambulances for primary care problems: a qualitative study of the decision-making process. Emerg Med J.. 2014; 31:(6)448-452

Burger S, Tallett A, Maconochie I, Pall K. Parents' experiences of using NHS 111 as entry point to child's care pathway: Piloting a new patient reported experience measure. Arch Dis Childhood. 2016;

Djalali S, Tandjung R, Rosemann T, Markun S. Improvements in primary care skills and knowledge with a vocational training programme—a pre-post survey. Adv Med Educ Pract.. 2017; 27:(8)541-549

Dowden A. Improving the efficiency of out-of-hours prescribing. Prescrib.. 2016; 27:(9)28-34

Edwards MJ, Bassett G, Sinden L, Fothergill RT. Frequent callers to the ambulance service: patient profiling and impact of case management on patient utilisation of the ambulance service. Emerg Med J.. 2013; 32

Keene T, Davis M, Brook C. Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Assessed by Paramedics and Not Transported to Hospital: A Pilot Study. Australas J Paramed. 2015; 12:(2)

Liu Z, Buijsen M. Rising Individual Responsibility in Healthcare: A Case Study of China. Int J Law Polit Sci.. 2017; 3:(1) https://doi.org/https//.org/10.11114/ijsss.v5i4.2186

NHS England. Transforming urgent and emergency care services in England. 2015. https//tinyurl.com/yb63c62b (accessed 29 June 2018)

O'Hara R, Johnson M, Siriwardena AN A qualitative study of systematic influences on paramedic decision making: care transitions and patient safety. J Health Serv Res Pol.. 2014; 20:(1)45-53

Olthof M, Groenhof F, Berger MY. Towards a differentiated capitation system: relation between patient characteristics, contacts and costs. Fam Pract.. 2015; 32:(5)545-550

Pope C, Turnbull J, Jones J, Prichard J, Rowsell A, Halford S. Has the NHS 111 urgent care tele–phone service been a success? Case study and secondary data analysis in England. BMJ Open. 2017; 7:(5)

Tongco MDC. Purposive sampling as a tool for informant selection. Ethnograph Res Appl.. 2007; 5:147-158

Villareal M, Leach J, Nglanga-Bakwin K, Dale J. Can a partnership between general practitioners and ambulance services reduce conveyance to emergency care?. Emerg Med J.. 2017; 10

Whitaker P. GPs are much more than gatekeepers. BMJ.. 2016;

Zenobia CY, Fung Chan Yuen-ling, Chien Wai-tong Bracketing In Phenomenology: Only Undertaken in the Data Collection and Analysis Process?. Qualitat Rep.. 2013; 18:(59)1-9

Zora O, Robinson M, Endacott R. Are prehospital treatment or conveyance decisions affected by an ambulance crew's ability to access a patient's health information?. BMC Emerg Med.. 2015; 26:(15)

urgent care
primary care
professional
paramedic
referral pathway
role extension

GP perspectives of paramedic referrals to urgent and primary care

02 July 2018
Features
02 July 2018
Volume 10 · Issue 7

Abstract

Background:

This article stemmed from a search for more understanding about how paramedics relate to urgent and primary care (U&PC).

Methods:

The current study is qualitative, involving interview with seven general practitioners (GPs) in Wirral, Merseyside. Their verbatim evidence was audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed.

Findings:

There were three superordinate themes established: variability of referrals; the value of referrals sometimes being overlooked; and the need for skills development to improve referrals.

Conclusion:

The paramedic skillset is essential for appropriate referrals as long as their limitations are considered by GPs, while future research should focus on how paramedic skill bases can evolve in the U&PC community.

Paramedics have increasingly been expected to determine the most appropriate outcome for patients over the last few years. NHS England (2015) advocates that see-and-treat models benefit from the help of primary care professionals, and general practitioners (GPs) must assist the ambulance service in this role 24/7 with full integration of community health and social care services.

Blodgett et al (2017) investigated paramedic perspectives towards GP referral schemes. They highlighted a deficiency in qualitative research around this topic and identified GPs as effective stakeholders in attitudes and decision-making.

Branding GPs as ‘gatekeepers’ is unhelpful, as this term implies that they hold a monopoly in the NHS, and neglects any potential contribution from other professions including paramedics (Whitaker, 2016). The power of GPs may reduce paramedics' level of esteem and effectiveness in leading appropriate patient care strategies.

Subscribe to get full access to the Journal of Paramedic Practice

Thank you for visiting the Journal of Paramedic Practice and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the only journal dedicated to those working in emergency care, you can start your subscription today for just £48.

What's included

  • CPD Focus

  • Develop your career

  • Stay informed

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address

Paramedic
GP
Referral
NHS 111
Skills