The rural and regional ambulance paramedic: moving beyond emergency response project (Staff)

Project completion date:

This project was a collaboration with the University of Tasmania, Charles Sturt University and Monash University, along with the Convention of Ambulance Authorities. It aimed to explore the emerging roles for paramedics in regional and rural areas of Australia through four case studies. The multiple case study methodology to understand how paramedics are extending their scope of practice. The resultant model of a Rural Expanded Scope of Practice had four key elements: community engagement, emergency response, scope of practice extension and primary health care.

A key lesson from the study is that paramedics' skills can provide a valuable contribution to the continuum of care both outside the 'emergency' response, and outside the 'pre-hospital' setting. Paramedic are well placed to contribute to the broad areas of health promotion, injury prevention, chronic disease management and community capacity building because they are 'out and about' and therefore accessible in rural communities.