Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Dec 30:14:3561-3570.
doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S347811. eCollection 2021.

The Definition of Paramedicine: An International Delphi Study

Brett Williams  1 , Bronwyn Beovich  1 , Alexander Olaussen  1
Affiliations

The Definition of Paramedicine: An International Delphi Study

Brett Williams et al. J Multidiscip Healthc. .

Abstract

Introduction: Although paramedicine is an integral element of healthcare systems, there is a lack of universal consensus on its definition. This study aimed to derive a global consensus definition of paramedicine.

Methods: Key attributes pertaining to paramedicine were identified from existing definitions within the literature. Utilising text analysis, common attribute themes were identified and six initial domains were developed. These domains formed the basis for a four-round Delphi study with a panel of 58 global experts within paramedicine to develop an international consensus definition.

Results: Response rates across the study varied from 96.6% (round 1) to 63.8% (round 4). Participant feedback on appropriate attributes to include in the definition reflected the high level of specialized clinical care inherent within paramedicine, and its status as an essential element of healthcare systems. In addition, the results highlighted the extensive range of paramedicine capabilities and roles, and the diverse environments within which paramedics work.

Conclusion: Delphi methodology was utilized to develop a global consensus definition of paramedicine. This definition is as follows: paramedicine is a domain of practice and health profession that specialises across a range of settings including, but not limited to, emergency and primary care. Paramedics work in a variety of clinical settings such as emergency medical services, ambulance services, hospitals and clinics as well as non-clinical roles, such as education, leadership, public health and research. Paramedics possess complex knowledge and skills, a broad scope of practice and are an essential part of the healthcare system. Depending on location, paramedics may practice under medical direction or independently, often in unscheduled, unpredictable or dynamic settings. We believe that the generation and provision of this consensus definition is essential to enable the further development and maturation of the discipline of paramedicine.

Keywords: Delphi study; allied health personnel; consensus; paramedicine.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Delphi process and participation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Williams B, Onsman A, Brown T. From stretcher-bearer to paramedic: the Australian paramedics’ move towards professionalisation. J Prim Health Care. 2009;7(4):Article 990346.
    1. Eaton G, Wong G, Williams V, Roberts N, Mahtani KR. Contribution of paramedics in primary and urgent care: a systematic review. Br J Gen Pract. 2020;70(695):e421–e426. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X709877 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Olaussen A, Beovich B, Williams B. Top 100 cited paramedicine papers: a bibliometric study. Emerg Med Australas. 2021;33:975–982. - PubMed
    1. Townsend RM. What Australian and Irish paramedic registrants can learn from the UK: lessons in developing professionalism. Ir J Paramedicine. 2017;2(2). doi:10.32378/ijp.v2i2.69 - DOI
    1. Long DN, Lea J, Devenish S. The conundrum of defining paramedicine: more than just what paramedics’ do’. Australas J Paramedicine. 2018;15(1). doi:10.33151/ajp.15.1.629 - DOI

LinkOut - more resources