Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

In early 2015, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care released a report entitled Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care. In the report, it was stated that Ontario is currently faced with the challenge of an aging population that necessitates an increase in health care needs and that it will be essential to maintain a sustainable health system. One unique and innovative health care service currently being implemented in Northeastern Ontario is Community Paramedicine (CP). CP is a provision of health care services and health promotion initiatives through the use of paramedics that are not engaged in 911 calls. Its objective is to have patients remain at home longer and reduce healthcare costs. In order to stay at home, patients must be supported holistically, culturally and linguistically. Since every patient presents unique needs, it is necessary to understand the unique cultural, linguistic and geographic needs of those living in communities in Northeastern Ontario. A mixed methods research design will be used to evaluate patient and caregiver perspectives related to the quality and perceived effectiveness of the care they receive from CP. This is a two phased study. The first phase will consist of analysing quantitative feedback compiled from surveys administered to participants. The second phase will involve a qualitative analysis of four focus groups of patients participating in Community Paramedicine Wellness Clinics. Data analysis will provide insight into the unique patient and caregiver perspectives related to the effectiveness of the program in terms of: (1) keeping patients in their own homes for longer while, and (2) improving the quality of care in terms of the cultural and linguistic considerations.