Paramedic attitudes towards prehospital spinal care: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The optimal application of spinal motion restriction (SMR) in the prehospital setting continues to be debated. Few studies have examined how changing guidelines have been received and interpreted by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. This study surveys paramedics' attitudes, observations, and self-reported practices around the treatment of potential spine injuries in the prehospital setting.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey of a North American EMS agency. After development and piloting, the final version of the survey contained four sections covering attitudes towards 1) general practice, 2) specific techniques, 3) assessment protocols, and 4) mechanisms of injury (MOI). Questions used Likert-scale, multiple-choice, yes/no, and free-text response

SUBMITTER: McDonald N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9487099 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature