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

Gina Agarwal, Melissa Pirrie, Ricardo Angeles, Francine Marzanek, Amelia Keenan, Brent McLeod, Krista Cockerell, Buck Reed

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)464-471
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Paramedic Practice
Volume14
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022

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