Understanding the role and work of paramedics in primary care

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Understanding the role and work of paramedics in primary care: Focussed observations of paramedics and semi-structured interviews with paramedics, patients and other health care professionals within the primary care workforce

  • IRAS ID

    308242

  • Contact name

    Stephanie Tierney

  • Contact email

    stephanie.tierney@phc.ox.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Oxford

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 9 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    The proposed research consists of observing paramedics working in primary care in the UK and Canada. The researcher will observe the paramedic whilst they work in primary care and take notes about the tasks they undertake, their interactions with patients and their approach to work in primary care. This observation will be for one session (4 hours), and followed by an interview of the paramedic to understand more about their perceptions of their role.
    Further interviews will be carried out with patients who have received care from paramedics working in primary care, as well as other professionals (such as general practitioners, nurses and pharmacists) and administrative staff who work with paramedics in primary care.
    Prior to being involved in the research, all participants will review the participant information sheet, before giving informed consent to be part of the research. The researcher will write field notes during the observation of the paramedic and all the interviews will be audio-recorded.
    All participants will be entitled to compensation for their time for participation in the research.

  • REC name

    North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/NW/0097

  • Date of REC Opinion

    3 May 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion