'You're not just a medical professional': Exploring paramedic experiences of overdose response within Vancouver's downtown eastside.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Overdose response has become an increasingly relevant component of paramedic practice, particularly in light of increased opioid overdose globally. Previous studies have noted gaps in our understanding regarding the unique challenges which paramedics face during this form of pre-hospital emergency care. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the ways in which paramedics experience overdose response, specifically within a community markedly affected by the overdose crisis.

Methods

Ten participants were recruited from a single ambulance station located in an urban center in Western Canada. Two rounds of semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, and data saturation was found to have been reached. Verbatim transcripts were produced and subject to

SUBMITTER: Williams-Yuen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7521748 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature