References

Agarwal G, Angeles R, Pirrie M 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). BMC Emerg Med. 2017; 17:(1) https//doi.org/10.1186/s12873-017-0119-4

Agarwal G, Keenan A, Pirrie M, Marzanek-Lefebvre F Integrating community paramedicine with primary health care: a qualitative study of community paramedic views. CMAJ Open. 2022; 10:(2)E331-E337 https//doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20210179

Brydges M, Denton M, Agarwal G The CHAP-EMS health promotion program: a qualitative study on participants’ views of the role of paramedics. BMC Health Serv Res. 2016; 16:(1) https//doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1687-9

Chan J, Griffith LE, Costa AP, Leyenaar MS, Agarwal G Community paramedicine: a systematic review of program descriptions and training. CJEM. 2019; 21:(6)749-761 https//doi.org/10.1017/cem.2019.14

Eaton G, Wong G, Tierney S, Roberts N, Williams V, Mahtani KR Understanding the role of the paramedic in primary care: a realist review. BMC Med. 2021; 19:(1) https//doi.org/10.1186/s12916-021-02019-z

French-Bravo M, Crow G Shared governance: the role of buy-in in bringing about change. Online J Issues Nurs. 2015; 20:(2) https//doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol20No02PPT02

Government of Ontario. 31 May 2017. https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/44996/ontario-recognizing-outstanding-bravery-of-paramedics (accessed 18 October 2022)

Martin AC, O'Meara P Perspectives from the frontline of two North American community paramedicine programs: an observational, ethnographic study. Rural Remote Health. 2019; 19:(1) https//doi.org/10.22605/RRH4888

Mason S, Knowles E, Colwell B Effectiveness of paramedic practitioners in attending 999 calls from elderly people in the community: cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2007; 335:(7626) https//doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39343.649097.55

O'Meara PF, Tourle V, Stirling C, Walker J, Pedler D Extending the paramedic role in rural Australia: a story of flexibility and innovation. Rural Remote Health. 2012; 12:(2) https//doi.org/10.22605/RRH1978

O'Meara P, Ruest M, Stirling C Community paramedicine: higher education as an enabling factor. Australas J Paramedicine. 2014; 11:(2) https//doi.org/10.33151/ajp.11.2.22

O'Meara P, Stirling C, Ruest M, Martin A Community paramedicine model of care: an observational, ethnographic case study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2016; 16 https//doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1282-0

O'Meara P, Furness S, Gleeson R Educating paramedics for the future: a holistic approach. J Health Hum Serv Adm. 2017; 40:(2)219-253 http//www.jstor.org/stable/44631860

Ontario Community Paramedicine Secretariat. 2013. https://tinyurl.com/yck96jye

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. 2014. https://tinyurl.com/ycka5dd3 (accessed 18 October 2022)

Rasku T, Kaunonen M, Thyer E, Paavilainen E, Joronen K The core components of community paramedicine—integrated care in primary care setting: a scoping review. Scand J Caring Sci. 2019; 33:(3)508-521 https//doi.org/10.1111/scs.12659

Ross L, Hannah J, Van Huizen P What motivates students to pursue a career in paramedicine. Australas J Paramedicine. 2016; 13:(1) https//doi.org/10.33151/ajp.13.1.484

Steeps RJ, Wilfong DA, Hubble MW, Bercher DL Emergency medical services professionals’ attitudes about community paramedic programs. West J Emerg Med. 2017; 18:(4)630-639 https//doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2017.3.32591

Stirling CM, O'Meara P, Pedler D, Tourle V, Walker J Engaging rural communities in health care through a paramedic expanded scope of practice. Rural Remote Health. 2007; 7:(4) https//doi.org/10.22605/RRH839

Thurman WA, Moczygemba LR, Tormey K, Hudzik A, Welton-Arndt L, Okoh C A scoping review of community paramedicine: evidence and implications for interprofessional practice. J Interprof Care. 2021; 35:(2)229-239 https//doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2020.1732312

van Vuuren J, Thomas B, Agarwal G Reshaping healthcare delivery for elderly patients: the role of community paramedicine; a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021; 21:(1) https//doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06037-0

Whalen S, Goldstein J, Urquhart R, Carter AJE The novel role of paramedics in collaborative emergency centres aligns with their professional identity: a qualitative analysis. CJEM. 2018; 20:(4)518-522 https//doi.org/10.1017/cem.2018.401

paramedic
role
practice
attitudes
staff
evidence
international

Paramedics’ perspectives of the community paramedic role in Ontario, Canada

02 November 2022
Features
02 November 2022
Volume 14 · Issue 11

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.

The paramedic role has expanded beyond the core function of responding to 911 emergency medical services (EMS) calls to include preventing these calls (Chan et al, 2019).

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) (2014) has described community paramedicine (CP) as paramedics applying ‘their training and skills beyond the traditional role of providing emergency response. Working in collaboration with other health professionals, community paramedics provide services that help patients, like seniors with complex conditions, to live independently in their homes and communities.’

CP programmes tend to focus on vulnerable populations who are most at risk of frequent EMS and emergency department use (e.g. low-income seniors and people living in remote areas with limited access to care) (Stirling et al, 2007; MOHLTC, 2014; Rasku et al, 2019; Thurman et al, 2021).

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

Emergency medical technicians
Community paramedicine
Health personnel
Primary healthcare
Surveys and questionnaires