Table 2.
Existing Paramedicine Definitions: Identified Domains and Attributes
| Domain | Specific Attributes | Median (IQR) | Mode | % Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| About the paramedics | Paramedicine is a specialized allied health profession | 10 (8.25–10) | 10 | 59% |
| Paramedicine is underpinned by autonomous practice | 8 (7.25–9) | 8 | 22% | |
| Paramedicine requires medical oversight | 4.5 (1–8) | 0 | 9% | |
| A paramedic has complex knowledge and skills | 9 (8–9.75) | 9 | 26% | |
| A paramedic understands pathophysiology and pharmacology | 8 (6–9) | 10 | 24% | |
| The focus and aim of paramedicine | Paramedicine focuses on enhancing survival, controlling morbidity, and preventing disability | 8 (6.25–10) | 10 | 28% |
| Paramedicine focuses on providing advanced emergency medical care | 8 (6–9) | 10 | 22% | |
| Paramedicine focuses on attaining and maintaining optimal health and quality of life | 7 (6–9) | 7 | 13% | |
| Paramedicine focuses on patient-centred care | 9 (8–10) | 10 | 43% | |
| Paramedics treat individuals, families, communities and patients accessing the emergency medical system | 9 (7.25–10) | 10 | 35% | |
| The clinical work of paramedicine | Paramedics deliver emergency, lifesaving care to patients with life-threatening conditions | 9 (8–10) | 10 | 48% |
| Paramedics deliver emergency, critical care, to patients that are seriously ill or injured | 9 (8–10) | 10 | 39% | |
| Paramedics deliver emergency and non-emergency medical care | 10 (8–10) | 10 | 54% | |
| Paramedics deliver general emergency care including assessment, treatment and referrals | 9 (8–10) | 10 | 33% | |
| Paramedics deliver specialized thorough assessments, pathology testing, interpretation, and appropriate medical care | 8 (7–9.75) | 10 | 26% | |
| Paramedics deliver care that contribute to the treatment of chronic conditions and community health monitoring | 8 (6–9) | 10 | 24% | |
| Paramedics work in clinical and non-clinical roles (such as education, leadership and research) | 9 (8–10) | 10 | 41% | |
| Where and when paramedics work | Paramedics respond to unscheduled, episodic events, at any time | 9 (7.25–10) | 10 | 43% |
| Paramedics respond to both scheduled and unscheduled events, at any time | 9 (7–10) | 10 | 41% | |
| Paramedics provide timely provision of appropriate interventions | 9 (8–10) | 10 | 33% | |
| Paramedics work within a variety of environments, predominantly outside hospitals | 9 (8–10) | 9 | 30% | |
| Paramedics work in a pre-hospital context | 8 (4–10) | 10 | 30% | |
| Paramedics work on scene and during transport to hospital | 9 (5.25–10) | 10 | 39% | |
| Paramedics work across a range of settings including emergency, primary and urgent care | 9 (8–10) | 10 | 39% | |
| Paramedicine and transportation | Paramedics provide prompt transport to hospital | 7 (5–9) | 10 | 24% |
| Paramedics transport patients to an appropriate health facility | 8 (7–9.75) | 10 | 26% | |
| Paramedics provide ongoing care if required or arrange alternative options | 9 (7.25–10) | 10 | 33% | |
| Paramedics work in an ambulance transporting patients to the hospital | 5 (1.25–9) | 10 | 24% | |
| The role of paramedicine within the healthcare system | Paramedicine is an essential and intricate part of the healthcare system | 10 (9–10) | 10 | 65% |
| Paramedicine coordinates the responses of multiple emergency agencies | 8 (5–10) | 10 | 28% | |
| Paramedicine is an integrated medical health care delivery system | 8.5 (7–10) | 10 | 37% | |
| Paramedicine is a branch of medicine | 8 (5–10) | 10 | 33% | |
| Paramedicine is fully integrated with the rest of the health care system | 8 (6–10) | 10 | 28% |