Dr Timothy Makrides1
1Ambulance Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
Introduction: Over the past two decades, the demands placed on modern paramedic systems has significantly increased. Paramedic services can no longer continue to operate on a traditional response model where more ambulances are deployed to meet the rising demand. In this abstract, we present a research series (6 publications) as part of a recently completed PhD exploring new and innovative systems of practice within paramedicine.
Methods: This presentation will take the audience through a series of research publications exploring the history of paramedicine (narrative review), the identification of two novel system of practice (scoping review), a Delphi study, which used experts to define the new systems, and a survey which compared systems performance using prehospital quality indicators.
Results: in short, our research series identified two new systems of practice known as the Directive and Professionally Autonomous paramedic systems. Our panel of experts defined these two new systems, and we then compared them. The results of the comparison study showed a significant difference in performance of the two systems, with the Professionally Autonomous system (found in Australia, UK and NZ) outperforming the Directive system when compared using 11 domains of prehospital quality indicators.
Conclusion: Why is this important? This presentation is the first in the world which provides empirical evidence upon which base an argument for change. The work is designed to generate discussion about contemporary paramedic system design. Our final paper in the presentation provides health leaders with a roadmap for change, tailored to their needs of their community.
Biography:
Tim is a dad of two little monsters and holds a PhD in paramedic leadership, system design and modernization from Monash University. He has worked across several systems in Australia and Canada and is currently the Executive Director, Clinical Services at Ambulance Tasmania.