Research

Research developments within the Allied Health Professions Research Network (AHPRN)

‘The AHPRN is a development of the National Physiotherapy Research Network which was developed in 2004, and officially launched in 2005 following a call for proposals from the (CSP) for a research...

Anatomical and physiological mechanisms of heartblock associated with AMI

The heartbeat is initiated by an intrinsic electrical system composed of modified myocytes. These myocytes are organised into a group of spontaneously discharging pacemaker cells, situated in the...

The decision-making process in an emergency: a reflection on paramedic practice

A relative made an emergency call requesting an ambulance for a 64-year-old female, who had collapsed at home and appeared to be having a stroke. Whilst responding on a Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV),...

Australian paramedics' provision of analgesia for older fallers

‘This paper found higher proportions of analgesia administration than previously reported’.

Implementation of a mechanical chest compression device

Spotlight on Research is edited by Julia Williams, principal lecturer, paramedic science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire UK. To find out how you can contribute to future issues,...

A good death: key conceptual elements to end of life care

Achieving a “good death for all” is a prominent social and political priority across the western world (Ellershaw et al, 2010); however despite this prominence the concepts of such a death remain...

Severe burn injury—pre-hospital paramedic response—if it goes wrong

‘The patient with burns presents a difficult challenge to most health care personnel. Apart from the serious nature of the injury, there is the patient's discomfort, the distress of the patient and...

Clinical handover of the trauma and medical patient: a structured approach

‘The aim of any handover is to achieve the efficient communication of high-quality clinical information at any time when the responsibility for patient care is transferred’ (Yong et al, 2008)..

Is paramedic practice ready to adopt the NICE Transient Loss of Consciousness Guideline?

TLoC, or ‘blackout’ as it commonly referred to, is defined as the sudden loss of consciousness with complete recovery (NICE, 2010). TLoC is not a condition but a symptom which is generated by multiple...