Implementing community paramedicine: A known player in a new role. A narrative review

Evelien Spelten; Brodie Thomas; Julia van Vuuren; Ruth Hardman; David Burns; Peter O'Meara; Louise Reynolds

doi:10.1016/j.auec.2023.07.003

Implementing community paramedicine: A known player in a new role. A narrative review

Australas Emerg Care. 2024 Mar;27(1):21-25. doi: 10.1016/j.auec.2023.07.003. Epub 2023 Aug 9.

Authors

Evelien Spelten¹, Brodie Thomas², Julia van Vuuren², Ruth Hardman³, David Burns⁴, Peter O'Meara⁵, Louise Reynolds⁶

Affiliations

¹ Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: e.spelten@latrobe.edu.au.
² Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.
³ Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia; Sunraysia Community Health Services, Mildura, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ La Trobe University, Rural Health School, Department of Rural Allied Health - Paramedicine, Australia.
⁵ Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
⁶ College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 37567857
DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2023.07.003

Abstract

Background: Community Paramedicine is a model of care which is effective and accepted by health professionals and the community. Community paramedicine delivers low acuity primary care to disadvantaged communities and addresses service gaps. We aimed to identify successful implementation of community paramedicine models and signalled opportunities and challenges.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted. We identified 14 literature reviews from four databases EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane. The results from the thematic analysis were structured along the quadruple aim for healthcare redesign framework.

Results: The reviews supported acceptability of the model. Patients are satisfied and there is evidence of cost reduction. Long term evidence of the positive effects of community paramedicine on patient, community health and the health system are lacking. Equally, there is unfamiliarity about the role and how it is part of an integrated health model.

Conclusions: Community paramedicine could alleviate current stresses in the healthcare system and uses an available workforce of registered paramedics. To facilitate integration, we need more evidence on long-term effects for patients and the system. In addition, the unfamiliarity with the model needs to be addressed to enhance the uptake of the model.

Keywords: Community Paramedicine; Emergency Medical Services; Model of care; Primary care.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Allied Health Personnel
Emergency Medical Services*
Emergency Medical Technicians*
Health Personnel
Humans
Paramedicine