Medics as a Channel for Worksite Health Promotion in Remote Global Locations

Bullen, Piroska A. Bisits

doi:10.4278/ajhp.110107-arb-8

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Fourteen relevant articles met the inclusion criteria for synthesis. Studies were predominantly observational, including four descriptive studies, 2,5,21,22 two comparative case studies, 23,24 one conceptual study, 25 one Quasi-experimental post-test-only design, 26 five literature reviews 3,[27][28][29][30] and an open-ended survey instrument. 31 Key themes arising in the literature included the geographically dependent nature of the needs of rural and remote communities, particularly those related to health workforce sustainability problems, specific community needs, a multidisciplinary response to emergency care and the paramedic scope of practice.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Paramedics were found to have the time and motivation required to deliver health promotion activities, but were underequipped with skills and materials. 26 That study found that medics in remote worksites may be well served to conduct health promotion when provided with appropriate tools.…”

Section: Health Promotionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…2 For paramedics, this involves moving beyond emergency patient care and embracing new roles in primary health care, health promotion and prevention and community engagement. 2,28 It is within the expanded scope role that health education is embedded in paramedic practice: paramedics undertake health promotion and prevention activities according to the specific needs of local communities, including road safety, 2 alcohol-related harm prevention, 21 cardiovascular disease awareness, 26 disease management 5 and public education programs. 25 Although education and training in these areas varies widely between ambulance service providers, the aim is to develop the professional practise base of paramedics who will be engaging with communities in an expanded scope.…”

Section: Expanded Scope Of Paramedic Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,38 Health promotion is mentioned by several authors as a component of expanded prehospital practice. 5,24,26,27,30 One study discussed health promotion and illness prevention as an area engaged in by ESP paramedics in four rural locations. 2 In that study, the authors found that paramedics participated in health promotion and illness prevention work targeted to community needs, and that paramedics were seen by community residents as valuable health information resources.…”

Section: Health Promotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 Another study used on-site medics (working on offshore oil rigs, exploration camps and mining sites) to promote specific interventions aimed at physical and psychological health, including smoking awareness, healthy weight management and sexually transmitted diseases. 26 The employees of remote sites are often underserved by healthcare services, due to isolation, limited resources and distance. Paramedics were found to have the time and motivation required to deliver health promotion activities, but were underequipped with skills and materials.…”

Section: Health Promotionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Paramedic involvement in health education within metropolitan, rural and remote Australia: a narrative review of the literature

McManamny

Jennings

Boyd

et al. 2020

Aust. Health Review

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Objective A growing body of research indicates that paramedics may have a greater role to play in health care service provision, beyond the traditional models of emergency health care. The aim of this study was to identify and synthesise the literature pertaining to the role of paramedic-initiated health education within Australia, with specific consideration of metropolitan, rural and remote contexts. Methods A literature review was undertaken using the Ovid Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE and Scopus databases. The search time frame was limited from January 2007 to November 2017. The search was performed using key paramedic search terms in combination with keywords such as health education, rural, metropolitan, remote and Australia. Reference lists from relevant papers were also reviewed. Results Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria for synthesis. Health education in the Australian paramedic context relates largely to expanded-scope paramedics, health promotion and the role of paramedics as key members of local communities. There were no studies specifically related to the paramedic role in health education, although many papers referred to health education as one of many roles paramedics engage in today. Conclusion This review highlights a broadening of paramedicine’s traditional scope of practice, and an indication of how vital paramedics could be to local communities, particularly in rural and remote areas. An expanded role may help address health workforce sustainability problems in areas where health care provision is challenged by geographical constraints and low workforce numbers. What is known about the topic? A broadening of paramedicine’s traditional scope of practice has been linked to improvements in health workforce sustainability problems in areas where health care provision is challenged by geographical constraints and low workforce numbers, such as rural and remote Australia. Health education, as well as health promotion, primary health care and chronic disease management, have been proposed as potential activities that paramedics could be well placed to participate in, contributing to the health and well-being of local communities. What does this paper add? This paper identifies and synthesises literature focusing on paramedic-initiated health education in the Australian context, assessing the current health education role of paramedics in metropolitan, rural and remote areas. It provides an understanding of different geographical areas that may benefit from expanded-scope prehospital practice, indicating that the involvement of paramedics in health education in Australia is significantly determined by their geographical place of work, reflecting the influence of the availability of healthcare resources on individual communities. What are the implications for practitioners? Today’s paramedics fill broader roles than those encompassed within traditional models of prehospital care. Rural and remote communities facing increasing difficulty in obtaining health service provision appear to benefit strongly from the presence of expanded-scope paramedics trained in health promotion, primary injury prevention, chronic disease management and health education: this should be a consideration for medical and allied health practitioners in these areas. Australian paramedics are uniquely placed to ‘fill the gaps’ left by shortages of healthcare professionals in rural and remote areas of the country.

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