What are paramedics’ understanding of end-of-life care pathways? A research proposal

Hunter, Jade (2024) What are paramedics’ understanding of end-of-life care pathways? A research proposal. Masters dissertation, University of Cumbria. Item availability may be restricted.

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Abstract

Background: Paramedics’ understanding of end-of-life care pathways is a multifaceted and evolving aspect of pre-hospital care. However, there is a significant knowledge gap specifically pertaining to paramedics’ understanding of end-of-life care pathways, and the barriers and facilitators to successful implementation, which further highlights the need for further research in this area.

Method: The design of this research will consist of a qualitative method, employing two focus groups (n=5 per group in an urban and rural ambulance station) with paramedics employed by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Participants will be selected based on predefined criteria relevant to the research objectives. Data collection tools will consist of semi-structured interviews to gain in-depth insights. Data handling will involve manual entry of data from hand-written notes into a secure database. Digital data will be stored on a secure, encrypted server. Personal identifiers will be removed and coded to protect participant anonymity. Access to data will be restricted to authorized personnel only, using password protection and user authentication. Data will be checked for consistency across different sources and collection tools. Data handling and data quality checks will be conducted by the researcher. Data will be uploaded into NVivo for data management and analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns. Quality checks of the thematic analysis will be conducted by the researcher’s academic supervisor to ensure that interpretations are supported by the data.

Results: The design of this research project may result in findings that will answer the research question “what are paramedics’ understanding of end-of-life care pathways?”.

Conclusion: This research aims to explore the depth and nuances of paramedics' understanding of end-of-life care pathways. By investigating their knowledge, attitudes, and experiences, the research study seeks to identify gaps and strengths in current training and practice. The findings will provide valuable insights into how paramedics perceive and implement end-of-life care, ultimately contributing to the improvement of education and protocols to ensure compassionate and effective support for patients in their final stages of life.

Item Type:	Thesis/Dissertation (Masters)
Departments:	Institute of Health > Continuing Development and Health Leadership
Additional Information:	Dissertation submitted in part fulfilment for the MSc Paramedic: Practice Development, University of Cumbria, August 2024, word count 8268.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	03 Dec 2024 12:02
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 11:11
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8526