"Mind the gap": An exploratory qualitative study of paramedics' experiences attending older adults who fall in Western Australia.
Australas Emerg Care
; 27(3): 177-184, 2024 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38238144
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To explore paramedics' experiences and perspectives about attending and managing older adults who had fallen. PROCEDURES This qualitative, exploratory study used a purposive sample of paramedics in Western Australia. Participants had at least one year of clinical experience. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken. Data were analysed via an inductive thematic approach.FINDINGS:
Fourteen paramedics were interviewed (Median age 38 years, n = 5 females). The main theme identified that experiences were positive when attending patients with high-acuity medical problems or injuries following falls because binary decision-making (transport vs non-transport) was appropriate. Themes highlighted that decision-making for low-acuity falls attendances was a complex balance between 1) patient context, 2) risk management, 3) paramedic reactions, and 4) the lack of alternate referral pathways available. Experiences could be stressful and frustrating when attending falls call-outs for older adults with no injuries or medical problems. Participants concurred that when transport to hospital was not required there were no available, alternative pathways to refer onwards for appropriate health or social care.CONCLUSION:
Attending low-acuity call-outs for falls was often frustrating and required complex decision-making, with gaps in services identified. Further exploration of alternative referral pathways for health care for pre-hospital management of adults who fall is required.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Acidentes por Quedas
/
Pesquisa Qualitativa
/
Pessoal Técnico de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Australas Emerg Care
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article