Observational study identifies key research priorities in paramedicine for global emergency medical services, implying strategic investment opportunities.
Key Points
This study aims to identify and validate international research priorities in paramedicine and prehospital emergency medical services.
Observational three-phase mixed-methods study conducted with international stakeholders.
Phase 1: Open-ended Delphi survey to generate research priorities.
Phase 2: Rating of priorities with a 10-point scale and exploratory factor analysis (EFA).
1,299, 717, and 954 participants engaged across three phases, with 703 complete cases included in the final confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Nine interrelated factors were identified, comprising 40 research priorities related to prehospital practice.
Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated acceptable model fit, validating the identified structure.