Community paramedicine: A systematic review of program descriptions and training.
CJEM · 2019-03-20 · Systematic review
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to identify the types of community paramedicine programs and the training for each. METHODS: A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, grey literature, and bibliographies followed a search strategy using common community paramedicine terms. All studies published in English up to January 22, 2018, were captured. Screening and extraction were completed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess studies' methodological quality (full methodology on PROSPERO: CRD42017051774). RESULTS: From 3,004 papers, there were 64 papers identified (58 unique community paramedicine programs). Of the papers with an appraisable study design (40.6%), the median MMAT score was 3 of 4 criteria met, suggesting moderate quality. Programs most often served frequent 911 callers (48.3%) and individuals at risk for emergency department admission, readmission, or hospitalization (41.4%); and 70.7% of programs were preventive home visits. Common services provided were home assessment (29.5%), medication management (39.7%), and referral and/or transport to community services (37.9%); and 77.6% of programs involved interprofessional collaboration. Community paramedicine training was described by 57% of programs and expanded upon traditional paramedicine training and emphasized technical skills. Study heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Community paramedicine programs and training were diverse and allowed community paramedics to address a spectrum of population health and social needs. Training was poorly described. Enabling more programs to assess and report on program and training outcomes would support community paramedicine growth and the development of formalized training or education frameworks.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Interagency collaboration · Paramedics & EMTs · Frequent callers
Related articles
- Mobile Integrated Health Care and Community Paramedicine: A Position Statement and Resource Document of NAEMSP. (Prehosp Emerg Care, 2026)
- A scoping review of community paramedicine: evidence and implications for interprofessional practice. (J Interprof Care, 2021)
- The expanded role of paramedics: Managing community paramedicine and highly acute patient care within emergency medical services (Paramedicine, 2026)
- Identifying the context-specific roles enacted by community paramedics in Canada (Paramedicine, 2026)
- Challenges in recruiting frequent users of ambulance services for a community paramedic home visit program. (BMC Health Serv Res, 2023)
- The advantages and challenges experienced with the implementation and delivery of community paramedicine programmes: A qualitative reflexive thematic analysis (Paramedicine, 2023)