Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review
Abstract Background Emergency ambulance personnel respond to a variety of incidents in the community, including medical, trauma and obstetric emergencies. Family and bystanders present on scene may provide first aid, reassurance, background information or even act as proxy decision-makers. For most...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Emergency Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00829-3 |
| _version_ | 1797801551074426880 |
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| author | Eillish Satchell Melissa Carey Bridget Dicker Haydn Drake Merryn Gott Tess Moeke-Maxwell Natalie Anderson |
| author_facet | Eillish Satchell Melissa Carey Bridget Dicker Haydn Drake Merryn Gott Tess Moeke-Maxwell Natalie Anderson |
| author_sort | Eillish Satchell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Emergency ambulance personnel respond to a variety of incidents in the community, including medical, trauma and obstetric emergencies. Family and bystanders present on scene may provide first aid, reassurance, background information or even act as proxy decision-makers. For most people, involvement in any event requiring an emergency ambulance response is a stressful and salient experience. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and synthesise all published, peer-reviewed research describing family and bystanders’ experiences of emergency ambulance care. Methods This scoping review included peer-reviewed studies that reported on family or bystander experiences where emergency ambulance services responded. Five databases were searched in May 2022: Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertation & Theses and PsycINFO. After de-duplication and title and abstract screening, 72 articles were reviewed in full by two authors for inclusion. Data analysis was completed using thematic synthesis. Results Thirty-five articles reporting heterogeneous research designs were included in this review (Qualitative = 21, Quantitative = 2, Mixed methods = 10, Evidence synthesis = 2). Thematic synthesis developed five key themes characterising family member and bystander experiences. In an emergency event, family members and bystanders described chaotic and unreal scenes and emotional extremes of hope and hopelessness. Communication with emergency ambulance personnel played a key role in family member and bystander experience both during and after an emergency event. It is particularly important to family members that they are present during emergencies not just as witnesses but as partners in decision-making. In the event of a death, family and bystanders want access to psychological post-event support. Conclusion By incorporating patient and family-centred care into practice emergency ambulance personnel can influence the experience of family members and bystanders during emergency ambulance responses. More research is needed to explore the needs of diverse populations, particularly regarding differences in cultural and family paradigms as current research reports the experiences of westernised nuclear family experiences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:52:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0f971a147dd74729a62c40918f009019 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-227X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:52:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-0f971a147dd74729a62c40918f0090192023-06-18T11:08:26ZengBMCBMC Emergency Medicine1471-227X2023-06-0123111710.1186/s12873-023-00829-3Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping reviewEillish Satchell0Melissa Carey1Bridget Dicker2Haydn Drake3Merryn Gott4Tess Moeke-Maxwell5Natalie Anderson6Te Ārai Palliative & End of Life Research Group, School of Nursing University of Auckland Te Ārai Palliative & End of Life Research Group, School of Nursing University of Auckland Paramedicine Research Unit, Auckland University of TechnologySt John, New Zealand (Hato Hone Aotearoa)Te Ārai Palliative & End of Life Research Group, School of Nursing University of Auckland Te Ārai Palliative & End of Life Research Group, School of Nursing University of Auckland Te Ārai Palliative & End of Life Research Group, School of Nursing University of Auckland Abstract Background Emergency ambulance personnel respond to a variety of incidents in the community, including medical, trauma and obstetric emergencies. Family and bystanders present on scene may provide first aid, reassurance, background information or even act as proxy decision-makers. For most people, involvement in any event requiring an emergency ambulance response is a stressful and salient experience. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and synthesise all published, peer-reviewed research describing family and bystanders’ experiences of emergency ambulance care. Methods This scoping review included peer-reviewed studies that reported on family or bystander experiences where emergency ambulance services responded. Five databases were searched in May 2022: Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertation & Theses and PsycINFO. After de-duplication and title and abstract screening, 72 articles were reviewed in full by two authors for inclusion. Data analysis was completed using thematic synthesis. Results Thirty-five articles reporting heterogeneous research designs were included in this review (Qualitative = 21, Quantitative = 2, Mixed methods = 10, Evidence synthesis = 2). Thematic synthesis developed five key themes characterising family member and bystander experiences. In an emergency event, family members and bystanders described chaotic and unreal scenes and emotional extremes of hope and hopelessness. Communication with emergency ambulance personnel played a key role in family member and bystander experience both during and after an emergency event. It is particularly important to family members that they are present during emergencies not just as witnesses but as partners in decision-making. In the event of a death, family and bystanders want access to psychological post-event support. Conclusion By incorporating patient and family-centred care into practice emergency ambulance personnel can influence the experience of family members and bystanders during emergency ambulance responses. More research is needed to explore the needs of diverse populations, particularly regarding differences in cultural and family paradigms as current research reports the experiences of westernised nuclear family experiences.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00829-3FamilyBystanderEmergency ambulance servicesParamedicine patient-family-centred care |
| spellingShingle | Eillish Satchell Melissa Carey Bridget Dicker Haydn Drake Merryn Gott Tess Moeke-Maxwell Natalie Anderson Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review BMC Emergency Medicine Family Bystander Emergency ambulance services Paramedicine patient-family-centred care |
| title | Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review |
| title_full | Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review |
| title_short | Family & bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care: a scoping review |
| title_sort | family bystander experiences of emergency ambulance services care a scoping review |
| topic | Family Bystander Emergency ambulance services Paramedicine patient-family-centred care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00829-3 |
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