Toward an International Paramedic Research Agenda

Abstract

<p>Around the world the emergency medical services (EMS) profession has made tremendous strides over recent decades. We have become more professional, have a rapidly growing proportion of paramedics who are university qualified, our practice has become more evidence-based, and a growing number of paramedics are completing graduate-level programs and going on to conduct their own research. As a profession we have much to celebrate when we consider these accomplishments.</p><p>In some ways we are also following in the footsteps of other professions that have developed along similar pathways. A century ago physicians were trained in hospital basements and practiced procedures that had little evidence to ensure their quality or effectiveness. A half century ago nurses were largely trained in hospital basements and again had little research to justify their practices. Members of those professions recognized that the only way out of the basement was through the university. Members of those and other health professions took it upon themselves to make a university degree a requirement to enter practice. They recognized that a university degree was a key requirement of professionalism. Today we could not imagine a physician without a university degree and almost all new nurses and allied health professionals are now graduates of university programs.</p>

Addressing the challenges facing the paramedic profession in the United Kingdom

“…3 The last decade has seen the profession achieve the ability to undertake independent prescribing, as well as a more prominent expansion into other clinical settings, including primary care, end-of-life care and tentative steps into highly specialized roles such as neonatal care. This is alongside the profession governing their professional education, 3 developing the professional research agenda 4 and, more recently, obtaining leadership appointments as directors of paramedic services. 5…”

Barriers and enablers to paramedicine research in Australasia – A cross-sectional survey

“…5 It is possible that the establishment of a more open access system or readily accessible data warehouse might better support the profession and arguably enhance the value of independent paramedicine research. 10,33…”

“…The need for national research agendas has been recognised internationally, where there has been considerable effort to identify research priorities throughout North America and Europe. 7–13 Despite Australasia's leading role in paramedicine research, no such work has recently been undertaken in this region, hence there exists what appears to be a lack of research focus, direction and prioritisation. 6…”

Paramedics Have Untapped Potential to Address Social Determinants of Health in Canada

“…Historically, paramedic scope of practice has been defined by a small number of emergency physicians with a narrow focus on treating acute emergencies such as trauma and cardiac arrest. However, there is a global trend toward professionalization and self-regulation ( Maguire et al 2016 ). Five Canadian provinces now have self-governing colleges of paramedicine.…”