What influences paramedic participation in research studies?

This qualitative study set out ‘to examine paramedics’ perceptions of involvement in out-of-hospital research’ (p642). This work was linked to stroke research that was undertaken both in the US (Field Administration of Stroke Therapy-Magnesium–FAST-MAG–a phase 3 trial), and in the UK in the North East Ambulance Service (Developing and Assessing Services for Hyper-acute Stroke).

The authors provide in-depth information about the study design which facilitates the reader’s understanding of the research context, setting and methodology and a copy of the semi-structured interview/focus group guide is included for us to examine.

Related to the this, it was interesting to note that a majority of the interview guide focused on participants’ experiences as a paramedic, stroke assessment and stroke treatment (10 questions in total) with only three questions relating to research per se. That said of course, the number of questions allocated to specific topic areas does not necessarily correlate to the amount of time dedicated to these areas, and, as the guide was semi structured there is flexibility inherent in the research instrument—but it would have been useful to have had additional discussion around these decisions.