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Introduction (3 of 6) Similarities to traditional role
Extension of physician in the field
Interact with the local community
Role varies from location to location Courtesy of Captain David Jackson, Saginaw Township Fire Department.<br>
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Introduction (4 of 6) Community paramedic visits may include:
Home safety assessment
Chronic disease monitoring and management
Medication inventory and compliance
Wellness check<br>
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Introduction (5 of 6) Community paramedicine programs
Based on expanded role for paramedic
NHTSA’s National Standard Curricula
Specialized education and clinical experience
Initial scope of practice for a paramedic; expands definition to when, where, and how to deliver services<br>
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Introduction (6 of 6) Community paramedicine programs (cont’d)
Reliance on local community needs assessment
Identify community needs and identify solutions
Example: If assessment reveals higher rates of diabetes and ED visits, a community paramedic could assess patient’s medications and nutrition<br>
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History of Community Paramedicine Red River project
One of the first pilot programs
Coined terms community paramedicine and community paramedic
2005: International Roundtable on Community Paramedicine
2006: Nova Scotia began its program
Incorporated with nurse practitioners<br>
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US Community Paramedicine Programs (1 of 2) 2015
More than 33 states had community paramedicine or mobile health programs Courtesy of Dina Rogalla, Hennepin Technical College.<br>
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US Community Paramedicine Programs (2 of 2) Mobile Integrated Health care (MIH)
Provides services utilizing allied health professionals, including community paramedics
Minnesota was the first state to establish licensing<br>
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Evolution of Community Paramedicine (1 of 2) Evolution of community paramedicine
Community paramedicine is still in its early phases
Funding must be established and sustained
Funding models vary<br>
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Evolution of Community Paramedicine (2 of 2) Community paramedics
Play a critical role in US health care system
Fill gaps of delivery of health care services
Meet the needs of each unique community<br>
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Requirements of the Community Paramedic (1 of 4) International Roundtable on Community Paramedicine:
Expanded scope
Expanded role
Most common in US: expanded role model
Scope of practice for EMS with additional education and competency for community health<br>
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Requirements of the Community Paramedic (2 of 4) Becoming qualified
North Central EMS Institute developed the Community Paramedic Education Curriculum
New training programs for community paramedics based on curriculum<br>
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Requirements of the Community Paramedic (3 of 4) Community paramedics follow scope of practice defined by NHTSA
Work under the direction of:
Medical director
Patient’s primary care physician © Jones & Bartlett Learning.<br>
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Requirements of the Community Paramedic (4 of 4) Primary care physician
May act as program’s medical director
Writes patient’s plan of care
Directs community paramedic on how to monitor and manage patient during home visits<br>
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Roles of the Community Paramedic (1 of 3) Bringing primary care to the home
Reinforces information and instructions from PCP
Serves as eyes and ears of PCP © Jones & Bartlett Learning.<br>
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Roles of the Community Paramedic (2 of 3) Serves as translator for patients
Example: The patient may read “reduce cholesterol by 10 points,” but not know how to accomplish it
Community paramedic can explain steps<br>
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Roles of the Community Paramedic (3 of 3) Serves as navigator for patients
Be familiar with outreach services available
Be an advocate for the patient © Highwaystarz-Photography/Getty.<br>
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The Health Care Team (1 of 8) Community paramedics:
New and innovative members of team
Role will be integrated and expanded
Partner within existing health care structure Reprinted with permission from Mitchell, P., et al. Core principles & values of effective team-based health care. Discussion Paper, 2012 by the National Academy of Sciences. Courtesy of the National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.<br>
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The Health Care Team (2 of 8) The team
Medical director
Physician
EMS system
Nurses
Social worker
Case manager<br>
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The Health Care Team (3 of 8) Medical director
Serves as:
Liaison
Supervisor
Resource
Evaluator
Conduit
Relationship formed during training and periodic meetings<br>
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The Health Care Team (4 of 8) Physician
Plays a vital role
Determines how the community paramedic will monitor and manage the patient
Must have commitment and belief in the program<br>
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The Health Care Team (5 of 8) EMS system
Community paramedicine must have link to existing system
The community paramedic
Maintains continuity of care
Can discover emergent condition, activate EMS, and transport
Can provide full patient history<br>
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The Health Care Team (6 of 8) Nurses
Play critical role in home and primary setting
Community paramedic must have:
Good communication and working relationship © Bob Strickland Photography.<br>
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The Health Care Team (7 of 8) Social worker
Connects patients to community paramedicine program and primary care physicians
Serves as member of patient health care team
Helps with medication inventories/compliance
Community paramedic may connect patient with social services<br>
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The Health Care Team (8 of 8) Case manager
Coordinates appropriate care
Refers patients to community paramedicine program
Acts as conduit for information to primary care physician
Connects patients to appropriate services<br>
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Building Bridges Across the Gaps Key to effective program
Effective working relationships with community stakeholders
Find the gaps in the community
Foster relationships with community organizations
Develop strategies to meet identified needs<br>
