Real-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based study
Abstract Introduction Telemedicine has been widely used in various medical settings including in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The goal of this study was to assess the possible roles of real-time video communication between paramedics and bystanders at scenes of emergency, in the analysis and tr...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08445-w |
| _version_ | 1798038962735939584 |
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| author | Roman Sonkin Eli Jaffe Oren Wacht Helena Morse Yuval Bitan |
| author_facet | Roman Sonkin Eli Jaffe Oren Wacht Helena Morse Yuval Bitan |
| author_sort | Roman Sonkin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Telemedicine has been widely used in various medical settings including in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The goal of this study was to assess the possible roles of real-time video communication between paramedics and bystanders at scenes of emergency, in the analysis and treatment of patients. Methods 44 experienced paramedics participated in a simulation. Participants communicated with the experimenter presenting video clips showing patients that simulated three emergency scenarios: trauma, an unresponsive patient with cardiac arrest, and an opiate overdose. The simulation sessions were conducted through Zoom™, recorded, and then analyzed to document participants’ questions, requests, instructions, and their timings during each scenario. Results The trauma scenario was assessed most promptly, with instructions to handle the bleeding provided by all paramedics. In the unresponsive patient with cardiac arrest scenario, most of the participants achieved a correct initial diagnosis, and in the opiate overdose scenario over half of paramedics sought visual clinical clues for the differential diagnoses of loss of consciousness and their causes. Additional results show the type of assessment, treatment and diagnosis participants provided in each scenario, and their confidence about situation. Conclusions The findings show that direct video communication between paramedic and scene may facilitate correct diagnosis, provision of instructions for treatment, and early preparation of medications or equipment. These may decrease time to correct diagnosis and lifesaving treatment and impact patient morbidity and mortality. Moreover, the findings highlight the difference between incidents with higher visual clarity, such as trauma, and conditions that require an extended diagnosis to reveal, such as unresponsive patients. This may also increase the paramedics’ mental preparedness for what is expected at the scene. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:47:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-16bba56ae073495394637af84e535694 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:47:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-16bba56ae073495394637af84e5356942022-12-22T04:01:21ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632022-08-012211710.1186/s12913-022-08445-wReal-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based studyRoman Sonkin0Eli Jaffe1Oren Wacht2Helena Morse3Yuval Bitan4Community Division, Magen David AdomCommunity Division, Magen David AdomDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevCommunity Division, Magen David AdomDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevAbstract Introduction Telemedicine has been widely used in various medical settings including in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The goal of this study was to assess the possible roles of real-time video communication between paramedics and bystanders at scenes of emergency, in the analysis and treatment of patients. Methods 44 experienced paramedics participated in a simulation. Participants communicated with the experimenter presenting video clips showing patients that simulated three emergency scenarios: trauma, an unresponsive patient with cardiac arrest, and an opiate overdose. The simulation sessions were conducted through Zoom™, recorded, and then analyzed to document participants’ questions, requests, instructions, and their timings during each scenario. Results The trauma scenario was assessed most promptly, with instructions to handle the bleeding provided by all paramedics. In the unresponsive patient with cardiac arrest scenario, most of the participants achieved a correct initial diagnosis, and in the opiate overdose scenario over half of paramedics sought visual clinical clues for the differential diagnoses of loss of consciousness and their causes. Additional results show the type of assessment, treatment and diagnosis participants provided in each scenario, and their confidence about situation. Conclusions The findings show that direct video communication between paramedic and scene may facilitate correct diagnosis, provision of instructions for treatment, and early preparation of medications or equipment. These may decrease time to correct diagnosis and lifesaving treatment and impact patient morbidity and mortality. Moreover, the findings highlight the difference between incidents with higher visual clarity, such as trauma, and conditions that require an extended diagnosis to reveal, such as unresponsive patients. This may also increase the paramedics’ mental preparedness for what is expected at the scene.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08445-wEMSEmergency Medical ServicesMDAMagen David AdomResuscitationTelemedicine |
| spellingShingle | Roman Sonkin Eli Jaffe Oren Wacht Helena Morse Yuval Bitan Real-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based study BMC Health Services Research EMS Emergency Medical Services MDA Magen David Adom Resuscitation Telemedicine |
| title | Real-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based study |
| title_full | Real-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based study |
| title_fullStr | Real-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Real-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based study |
| title_short | Real-time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene – a simulation-based study |
| title_sort | real time video communication between ambulance paramedic and scene a simulation based study |
| topic | EMS Emergency Medical Services MDA Magen David Adom Resuscitation Telemedicine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08445-w |
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