Abstract
Background: Several Ornge paramedics voluntarily became team leads of teams of personnel to remote fly-in communities during Operation Remote Immunity (ORI) in northwestern and northeastern Ontario, Canada. Purpose: This research paper will improve the understanding of paramedics as team leaders of a group of multidisciplinary professionals.
Methodology/Approach: This research topic utilized mixed methods to understand the depth and breadth of paramedic leadership in these multidisciplinary teams. This method combines both qualitative and quantitative data for depth and breadth of information.
Results: Ninety-one participants responded to the online survey conducted over one month. 60 participants completed the study in its entirety, and 31 participants completed only the demographic portion of the survey questions. 47 participants submitted their email addresses to participate in an interview. 16 participants responded with interview availability; 14 interviews were completed to collect qualitative data.
Conclusion: The quantitative and qualitative data show that Ornge paramedics are effective team leaders of a multidisciplinary team over prolonged periods with the support of the hierarchical incident command, planning, logistics and their team members. Practice Implications: This study outlines areas where paramedics are specifically well suited to leading teams. This has implications when selecting team leaders and strengthens the argument for using paramedics for these roles in the future. The study identifies the need for further analysis by other paramedics or paramedic services regarding leadership.
Methodology/Approach: This research topic utilized mixed methods to understand the depth and breadth of paramedic leadership in these multidisciplinary teams. This method combines both qualitative and quantitative data for depth and breadth of information.
Results: Ninety-one participants responded to the online survey conducted over one month. 60 participants completed the study in its entirety, and 31 participants completed only the demographic portion of the survey questions. 47 participants submitted their email addresses to participate in an interview. 16 participants responded with interview availability; 14 interviews were completed to collect qualitative data.
Conclusion: The quantitative and qualitative data show that Ornge paramedics are effective team leaders of a multidisciplinary team over prolonged periods with the support of the hierarchical incident command, planning, logistics and their team members. Practice Implications: This study outlines areas where paramedics are specifically well suited to leading teams. This has implications when selecting team leaders and strengthens the argument for using paramedics for these roles in the future. The study identifies the need for further analysis by other paramedics or paramedic services regarding leadership.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 9-17 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Canadian Paramedicine |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Mar 2024 |
