Table 4.
Primary and secondary outcomes in patients seen by paramedic practitioners or not. Figures are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise
| Intervention weeks | Control weeks | Relative risk (95% CI) | P value | ICC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary outcomes | |||||
| ED attendance 0-28 days (n=3018) | 970 (62.6) | 1286 (87.5) | 0.72 (0.68 to 0.75) | <0.001 | 0.00 |
| Hospital admission 0-28 days (n=3018) | 626 (40.4) | 683 (46.5) | 0.87 (0.81 to 0.94) | <0.001 | 0.00 |
| Very satisfied with care (n=1482) | 656 (85.5) | 528 (73.8) | 1.16 (1.09 to 1.23) | <0.001 | 0.00 |
| Mean (SD) total episode time (min) (n=2968) | 235.1 (183.3) | 277.8 (182.6) | −42.2 (8.8)* (−59.5 to −25.0) | <0.001 | — |
| Secondary outcomes | |||||
| Investigation at initial episode (n=2946) | 754 (49.7) | 971 (67.9) | 0.73 (0.69 to 0.78) | <0.001 | 0.00 |
| Treatment initial at episode (n=2946) | 1233 (81.3) | 1040 (72.8) | 1.11 (1.06 to 1.17) | <0.001 | 0.00 |
| Subsequent unplanned contact with secondary care after initial episode (n=3018) | 330 (21.3) | 259 (17.6) | 1.21 (1.06 to 1.38) | <0.01 | 0.00 |
| Physical health worse (n=1430) | 166 (21.7) | 170 (25.6) | 0.85 (0.69 to 1.05) | 0.13 | 0.00 |
| Mortality at 28 days (n=3018) | 68 (4.4) | 74 (5.0) | 0.87 (0.63 to 1.21) | 0.41 | 0.00 |
ICC=intraclass correlation; ED=emergency department.
*Difference (SE).