Public Recognition of Emergencies and Appropriate Ambulance Use in Riyadh: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background/Objectives: The demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has increased over the past few years, increasing the EMS burden. Public utilization of EMS for non-emergency cases is a major global issue contributing to this burden. This study explores the public's ability to accurately recognize emergency situations and appropriately request ambulance services. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a survey to explore public awareness among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The survey was developed from the relevant literature and panel discussions, followed by validation through a pilot study. Recruitment was conducted in different publicly accessible places to capture the diverse demographics of the residents. The sample size was statistically calculated using the Raosoft sample size calculator to identify significant differences. Results: This study included 522 respondents, predominantly females (79%) aged 18-34 (42%) and 35-54 (41%) years. Both males and females correctly identified around two-thirds of the total emergency cases, with means of 6.49 (SD = 1.27) and 6.55 (SD = 1.32), respectively. Appropriate ambulance requests were made in less than one-third of the emergencies by both males and females, with means of 2.29 (SD = 1.29) and 2.38 (SD = 1.32), respectively. Stroke and older adults with hip pain were the most accurately recognized emergency cases at 92.5% and 90%, respectively, while mild chest pain and child head hematoma were the least accurately recognized at 36.6% and 38.5%. Women in labor and objects in the ear canal were the most misidentified as emergencies at 97.3% and 87.7%, respectively. Conclusions: This study highlights the prevalence of unrecognized emergency situations and the underutilization of EMS for real emergency cases. The findings recommend the need for national training programs and provide valuable insights for EMS dispatcher training programs regarding public perceptions of emergency and non-emergency situations. While the findings provide insights into targeted preventive measures to alleviate the EMS burden, they also demonstrate the critical role of public awareness in enhancing public health safety concerning emergency situations.