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Table 3 Survey statements on Treat and Referral

From: Stakeholder opinion on the proposal to introduce ‘treat and referral’ into the Irish emergency medical service

Text

Median score (range)

PHECC practitioner agree/ strongly agree (CI 95%)

EM Consultant Agree/ strongly agree (CI 95%)

Statistical difference between PHECC practitioners and EM Consultants

T&R will result in improved patient care.

4 (1–5)

66.5% (±3.5%)

61.1% (±10.2%)

p = 0.346

T&R will increase clinical judgement skills.

4 (1–5)

73.5% (±3.5%)

61.1% (±10.2%)

p = 0.023

T&R will reduce unnecessary ambulance journeys.

4 (1–5)

87% (±3.5%)

83.3% (±10.2%)

p = 0.053

T&R will result in increased ambulance availabilities for emergencies locally.

4 (1–5)

83.9% (±3.5%)

55.6% (±10.2%)

p < 0.001

T&R should only be available as an advanced paramedic intervention.

2 (1–5)

22.6% (±3.5%)

57.2% (±10.2%)

p = 0.001

T&R should only be available as an intervention to paramedics with several years’ experience.

3 (1–5)

45.4% (±3.5%)

47.2% (±10.2%)

p = 0.525

T&R should only be available for adult patients (18 and over).

4 (1–5)

57.2% (±3.5%)

47.2% (±10.2%)

p = 0.005

I would be happy for a family member to be offered T&R by a paramedic or advanced paramedic following an acute event.

4 (1–5)

69.6% (±3.5%)

69.4% (±10.2%)

p = 0.567

Patients offered T&R should be given specific written after-care instruction, similar to head injury advice leaflet given by emergency department staff.

4 (1–5)

88.2% (±3.5%)

91.7% (±10.2%)

p = 0.744

Patients offered T&R should be limited to specific conditions such as hypoglycaemia and isolated seizure until research demonstrates it is a safe clinical practice.

4 (1–5)

50.6% (±3.5%)

69.4% (±10.2%)

p = 0.013

Patients offered Treat and Referral will require their GP to be informed about the episode through e-mail or ordinary mail by the treating paramedic or advanced paramedic.

3 (1–5)

47.5% (±3.5%)

88.9% (±10.2%)

p < 0.001

Mean

3.6

62.9%

66.6%