A Proposed Theoretical Framework for Clinical Judgment in EMS.

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Prehospital Care
• Clinical Judgment Theory

Background:

• Prehospital care involves undifferentiated patients with diverse medical problems.
• EMS clinicians integrate numerous environmental, patient, and event cues for decision-making.
• Existing theoretical frameworks do not fully capture the prehospital clinical experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel theoretical framework for clinical judgment in the prehospital setting.
• To address the gap in understanding the complex EMS clinical decision-making process.
• To provide a framework applicable from dispatch to patient handoff.

Main Methods:

• Building upon established methodologies.
• Applying these to the clinical practice of EMS clinicians.
• Incorporating leadership and communication within the framework.

Main Results:

• A theoretical framework for prehospital clinical judgment is proposed.
• The framework integrates cues, on-scene information, and assessments.
• It encompasses the entire EMS experience, including leadership and communication.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework enhances understanding of prehospital clinical judgment.
• It offers a structured approach for EMS clinicians' complex decision-making.
• This theoretical model supports improved prehospital care delivery.