Views of paramedics on their role in an out-of-hospital ambulance-based trial in ultra-acute stroke: qualitative data from the Rapid Intervention with Glyceryl Trinitrate in Hypertensive Stroke Trial (RIGHT)

Ankolekar, Sandeep, Parry, Ruth, Sprigg, Nikola , Siriwardena, A. Niroshan and Bath, Philip M. W. (2014) Views of paramedics on their role in an out-of-hospital ambulance-based trial in ultra-acute stroke: qualitative data from the Rapid Intervention with Glyceryl Trinitrate in Hypertensive Stroke Trial (RIGHT). Annals of Emergency Medicine . pp. 1-9. ISSN 0196-0644

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Views of paramedics on their role in an out-of-hospital ambulance-based trial in ultra-acute stroke: qualitative data from the Rapid Intervention with Glyceryl Trinitrate in Hypertensive Stroke Trial (RIGHT)

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Abstract

Study objective: Optimal practices for recruiting, consenting, and randomizing patients, and delivering treatment in out-of-hospital ultra-acute stroke trials, remain unclear. We aim to identify key barriers and facilitators relevant to the design and conduct of ambulance-based stroke trials and to formulate preliminary recommendations for the design of future trials.
Methods: Using semistructured interviews, we investigated the experiences and challenges faced by paramedics who took part in a randomized controlled trial in suspected ultra-acute stroke, the Rapid Intervention With Glyceryl Trinitrate in Hypertensive Stroke Trial (RIGHT), in which recruitment, consent, randomization, assessment, and treatment were delivered by paramedics before hospitalization.
Results: We purposively selected a diversity sample of 14 of the 78 paramedics who participated in RIGHT. We identified 13 themes (7 facilitators and 6 barriers to out-of-hospital stroke research). A simple stroke diagnostic tool, use of proxy consent on behalf of patients, and straightforward trial processes were identified as the main facilitators. Recruitment became easier with each new randomization attempt. Key barriers reported were informed consent in the emergency setting, lack of institutional support for research, learning curve and rarity (each paramedic treats only a few eligible patients), and difficulty in attending training sessions. Interviewed paramedics were motivated to participate in research.
Conclusion: Ultra-acute stroke research in the out-of-hospital environment is feasible, but important barriers need to be addressed. Proxy consent by paramedics addresses some of the difficulties with the consent process in the out-of-hospital setting.

Additional Information:Published online at www.annemergmed.com under "Articles in Press" as of April 18, 2014. Presented as a poster at the European Stroke Conference, May 2012, Lisbon, Portugal.
Keywords:ambulances, blood pressure, nitroglycerin, prehospital, stroke, emergency medical services, NotOAChecked
Subjects:B Subjects allied to Medicine > B990 Subjects Allied to Medicine not elsewhere classified
B Subjects allied to Medicine > B780 Paramedical Nursing
A Medicine and Dentistry > A300 Clinical Medicine
Divisions:College of Social Science > School of Health & Social Care
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ID Code:13916
Deposited On:11 May 2014 15:18

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