Spotlight on Research

Data indicate that adult patients suffering from suspected seizures are often conveyed to the emergency department (ED) with no clinical need. In England, ambulance services respond to around 211 000 calls for suspected seizures, so the size of the problem is significant. Clearly, some patients suffering a seizure should be conveyed to ED, but UK guidelines suggest that the majority of patients will not need conveyance. Earlier qualitative studies suggest that paramedics feel that their initial training inadequately prepared them for managing seizures and only a minority reported confidence in making conveyance decisions.

This anonymous cross-sectional online ‘open’ survey conducted between November 2022 and January 2023 was open to students enrolled in a UK educational programme that would qualify them to apply for paramedic registration, and who were in year two or beyond. The survey presented three case presentations in a randomised order: seizure, breathing difficulty, and headache. Participants were asked to rate their confidence in making conveyance decisions and their perceived knowledge of, ability to care for and confidence to care for each of the presentations. These were measured against five-point scales. Participants were then asked whether they should/should have received more training in the area and given a yes/no option.