Implementing community paramedicine: A known player in a new role. A narrative review.
Australasian Emergency Care · 2023-08-09 · Other / unclear
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.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Cost & cost-effectiveness · Implementation · Paramedics & EMTs · Socially vulnerable groups
Related articles
- The Community Paramedicine at Clinic Program: Improving Participant Health while Preserving Healthcare System Resources. (Healthc Q, 2024)
- Community Paramedics in Australia: A Case Study Adapting the Canadian Community Paramedicine at Clinic (CP@clinic) Program in Rural Australia, Using an Implementation Science Approach. (J Prim Care Community Health, 2026)
- The development of community paramedicine; a restricted review. (Health Soc Care Community, 2022)
- Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of community paramedicine programs in achieving vaccination equity: a qualitative study. (BMC Health Serv Res, 2024)
- Feasibility of implementing a community cardiovascular health promotion program with paramedics and volunteers in a South Asian population. (BMC Public Health, 2020)
- What Is the Potential of Community Paramedicine to Fill Rural Health Care Gaps? (J Health Care Poor Underserved, 2016)