Alternative Paramedic Roles: An International Perspective                            

Abstract Background While paramedicine is an evolving profession globally, there remain many disparities around titles and roles within the various jurisdictions that may not be fully captured in the literature. The aim of this study is to gain an international perspective on current and future roles within the field of paramedicine. Methods A mixed-methods approach was adopted for this survey, using both quantitative and qualitative data, and a link to the survey was distributed to international participants within the field of paramedicine through email, journals, and social media platforms. Results The study gathered responses from 158 participants representing 59 organisations across 16 countries. Ireland had the highest number of respondents (n = 56), followed by Australia (n = 41), and England (n = 21). Participants outlined (n = 54), current paramedic roles and (n = 39), future roles planned within their respective organizations. Participants described (n = 86), aspirational, non-traditional roles that they felt paramedics may adopt into the future. Respondents practitioner titles varied across a range of clinical, managerial, and academic specialties, with (n = 33) examples provided. Clinical level of practitioner available within the respondents organisations provided (n = 41), descriptions. Various ambulance care models were identified (n = 24), with various combinations. Paramedic medical oversight was predominantly provided by a physician, (n = 56), although (n = 22) other examples were described. Regulation of paramedic practice provided (n = 8), descriptions of regulatory bodies, and (n = 9) paramedic models of regulation described. Respondents described (n = 10), descriptions of patient safety framework models within the relevant organizations. Qualitative data did not require thematic analysis and respondents’ free text was recorded and transcribed verbatim. Conclusion Gaps in the healthcare provision are creating new innovative opportunities for a rapidly evolving paramedic profession. Paramedicine is evolving in response based often on local or sectoral need. Rather than trying to standardise practice perhaps an alternative approach might be to simply accept that paramedicine is a domain of practice and health profession that specialises across a range and variety of clinical settings and focus on creating and maintaining omnipotent healthcare practitioners adaptable to societal needs within a well governed health system.