Communicating in the pre-hospital emergency environment

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Health Communication
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Effective communication between paramedics and patients is crucial in pre-hospital care.
• Communication challenges arise with diverse patient populations, including those with temporary or permanent communication difficulties.
• Existing research supports the efficacy of communication boards for individuals with communication impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a communication board for paramedics as an augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) tool.
• To address the communication needs of patients in the pre-hospital setting.
• To evaluate the usability and effectiveness of this AAC tool in real-world emergency scenarios.

Main Methods:

• A double-sided A4 communication board was designed in collaboration with the Queensland Ambulance Service and Disability and Community Care Services.
• The board features expressive messages for patients and paramedics, and interaction tips for paramedics.
• The communication board was distributed to all ambulances and patient transport vehicles in the Brisbane Region.

Main Results:

• 878 paramedics completed a survey on the board's use with various patient groups.
• The board was most frequently considered for patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and children.
• 72% of interviewed paramedics found the board useful, reporting ease of use, reduced patient frustration, and improved communication.

Conclusions:

• Communication boards are applicable and effective in the pre-hospital setting to enhance patient-paramedic communication.
• This study represents the first documentation of a communication board's development and implementation for paramedics in Australia.
• The findings support the communication board as a valuable tool for paramedics to facilitate communication with a range of patients facing challenges.