Consumer perspectives of a community paramedicine program in rural Ontario.

Objective To evaluate a community paramedicine program in rural Ontario, Canada, through the perceptions and experiences of consumers. Design An observational ethnographic approach was used to acquire qualitative data through informal discussions, semi-structured interviews and direct observation of interactions between consumers and community paramedics. Setting The study was conducted in rural Ontario where a community paramedicine program has been established consisting of four components: ad hoc home visiting, ageing at home, paramedic wellness clinics and community paramedic response unit. Participants Fourteen adult consumers participated, representing all program components. Main outcome measures Consumer satisfaction and perceived benefits. Results Three main interlinked themes were identified: (i) improved health monitoring and primary health care access close to home; (ii) improved sense of security and support for vulnerable residents in the community; and (iii) improved consumer education and empowerment for enhanced health management. Conclusions Consumers' reflections on their experiences and perceptions of a rural community paramedicine program indicate acceptance of paramedics in non-traditional preventative health care roles. This supports the desirability of investigating the potential development of community paramedicine programs in rural Australia to meet identified health service needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]