Beyond emergencies: examining paramedic practices in primary health care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Beyond emergencies: examining paramedic practices in primary health care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Introduction: The landscape of paramedic practice in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand is rapidly evolving, with increasing numbers of paramedics working in primary health care roles. Despite this, paramedics are still seen as synonymous with ambulances and associated with responding to emergency calls. By examining the roles and responsibilities of paramedics working in primary health care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, greater understanding can be acquired of the ways in which these paramedics practice, contributing to a shift from the historical definitions of paramedics that focus on where they practice.
Aim: This study aims to explore the practice of paramedics working in primary health care roles in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional online survey of paramedics in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand who work in primary health care roles. They were recruited through purposive sampling and snowballing methods between July and November 2023. A total of 91 paramedics responded to the survey, 60 participants responded to all items in the questionnaire and were included in the study. The software SPSS was used for data analysis.
Results: This research highlights the characteristics, education, employment locations, work satisfaction, patient presentations, clinical assessments, and procedural skills practiced by paramedics operating within primary care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Conclusion: Examining the way paramedics work in primary health care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand is essential for profession progression, workforce planning and development of sustainable health care teams in primary care. This research provides invaluable insights to the current practices of the paramedic profession in the context of primary health care, with the aim of informing health workforce development initiatives and influencing healthcare policies to cultivate sustainable and diverse workforce models.

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