Impact of the First Swiss Conference on Prehospital Emergency Care and Trauma Research (SPECTRe) on Paramedics' Intention to Engage in Research: Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

In Switzerland, paramedics lack academic training, meaning they do not receive specialized education in the field of research. Like many other European countries, paramedics are seldom included in prehospital research. However, considering the significant gaps in knowledge within prehospital emergency medicine, educating and involving paramedics could markedly enhance prehospital emergency medicine research and decrease knowledge gap in this area.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the impact of the inaugural Swiss Conference on Prehospital Emergency Care and Trauma Research on paramedics' inclination to participate in prehospital research.

METHODS

A questionnaire was administered using Likert-type scales. All participants (100) were asked to answer a web-based questionnaire after attending the conference.

RESULTS

Out of 80 responses (80%), 72 were filled by paramedics and therefore included in the analysis. Participants were significantly more willing to engage in prehospital research after attending the conference (40/56, 71.4%) than before (23/56, 41.1%); p < 0.001. Among participants already actively involved, 46.7% (7/15) responded that the event had a positive impact on their level of involvement. The results revealed a noteworthy increase in willingness to engage in research.

CONCLUSIONS

A one-day conference solely focused on pre-hospital scientific research serves as a motivating factor for paramedics to partake in research in this domain. Whether this will lead to a higher scientific output is unknown.