Angela Martin1, Peter O'Meara1, Jane Farmer1. 1. La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a community paramedicine program in rural Ontario, Canada, through the perceptions and experiences of consumers. DESIGN: An observational ethnographic approach was used to acquire qualitative data through informal discussions, semi-structured interviews and direct observation of interactions between consumers and community paramedics. SETTING: The study was conducted in rural Ontario where a community paramedicine program has been established consisting of four components: ad hoc home visiting, ageing at home, paramedic wellness clinics and community paramedic response unit. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen adult consumers participated, representing all program components. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Consumer satisfaction and perceived benefits. RESULTS: Three main interlinked themes were identified: (i) improved health monitoring and primary health care access close to home; (ii) improved sense of security and support for vulnerable residents in the community; and (iii) improved consumer education and empowerment for enhanced health management. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers' reflections on their experiences and perceptions of a rural community paramedicine program indicate acceptance of paramedics in non-traditional preventative health care roles. This supports the desirability of investigating the potential development of community paramedicine programs in rural Australia to meet identified health service needs.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a community paramedicine program in rural Ontario, Canada, through the perceptions and experiences of consumers. DESIGN: An observational ethnographic approach was used to acquire qualitative data through informal discussions, semi-structured interviews and direct observation of interactions between consumers and community paramedics. SETTING: The study was conducted in rural Ontario where a community paramedicine program has been established consisting of four components: ad hoc home visiting, ageing at home, paramedic wellness clinics and community paramedic response unit. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen adult consumers participated, representing all program components. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Consumer satisfaction and perceived benefits. RESULTS: Three main interlinked themes were identified: (i) improved health monitoring and primary health care access close to home; (ii) improved sense of security and support for vulnerable residents in the community; and (iii) improved consumer education and empowerment for enhanced health management. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers' reflections on their experiences and perceptions of a rural community paramedicine program indicate acceptance of paramedics in non-traditional preventative health care roles. This supports the desirability of investigating the potential development of community paramedicine programs in rural Australia to meet identified health service needs.
Authors: Shaheen Shiraz Kurani; Michelle A Lampman; Shealeigh A Funni; Rachel E Giblon; Jonathan W Inselman; Nilay D Shah; Summer Allen; David Rushlow; Rozalina G McCoy Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2021-12-01
Authors: Matthew S Leyenaar; Brent McLeod; Aaron Jones; Audrey-Anne Brousseau; Eric Mercier; Ryan P Strum; Michael Nolan; Samir K Sinha; Gina Agarwal; Walter Tavares; Andrew P Costa Journal: CJEM Date: 2021-08-17 Impact factor: 2.410