Introducing Advanced Paramedics into the rural general practice team in Ireland - general practitioners attitudes

Area of Science:

• Primary Care
• Rural Health
• Allied Health Professions

Background:

• Rising population and chronic disease increase demand on Irish general practice.
• Nursing roles are standard, but other allied health professions, like Advanced Paramedics (APs), are under-explored in Irish general practice.
• APs possess potential capabilities to support general practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate General Practitioners' (GPs) views on integrating Advanced Paramedics (APs) into rural Irish general practice.

Main Methods:

• A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was used.
• A questionnaire was distributed to GPs at a rural conference, followed by semi-structured interviews.
• Data underwent thematic analysis after verbatim transcription.

Main Results:

• 27 GPs responded to the survey, and 13 were interviewed.
• Most GPs were familiar with APs and receptive to collaboration.
• GPs showed openness to APs in various settings, including out-of-hours, home visits, nursing homes, and within general practice.

Conclusions:

• General Practitioner and Advanced Paramedic roles have overlapping clinical functions in primary and emergency care.
• GPs acknowledge the unsustainability of current rural models and see potential in AP integration.
• Integrating APs can help sustain future rural general practice services in Ireland.