Beliefs and expectations of paramedics towards evidence-based practice and research

The objective of this cross-sectional online survey was to better understand the beliefs of paramedics towards research and evidence-based practice and their expectations regarding its impact on their ability to provide patient care.

An online survey of frontline paramedical staff in New South Wales, Australia, was conducted in March, 2010. Paramedics were asked to respond to five questions relating to their beliefs and expectations relating to prehospital research and evidence-based practice, using a four-point Likert scale for each. Descriptive statistics are used to describe responses to survey questions. Tests for trend between nominal and ordinal explanatory variables and ordinal survey responses were performed using χ(2) statistics.

There were 892 responses to the survey throughout the 1-month study period. The vast majority of paramedics believed prehospital research and paramedic participation in research were very important. Ninety per cent believed prehospital research would improve patient care, while 92% reported being likely to change clinical practice as a result of prehospital evidence. Paramedics with shorter lengths of service and those with tertiary education were significantly more supportive of, and had higher expectations of, research and evidence-based practice.

Paramedics who responded to this online survey appear to have generally positive expectations of and perceptions towards evidence-based practice and research and their impact on prehospital care. Tertiary education and shorter length of service were associated with more positive expectations of, and higher level of support for, evidence-based practice.