Patients’ experiences of community care after ambulance assessment: A scoping review’

Introduction

The changing role of ambulance clinicians has come with a focus on providing tailored care to patients within the community, thus preventing the need for transport to an emergency department.

Aim

The aim of this scoping review was to identify and analyse patient experiences of receiving community care following ambulance assessment.

Methods

A scoping literature review was conducted guided by the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Four electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Scopus. Thematic analysis was used for exploring key codes, themes, and sub-themes.

Results

The search led to an initial list of 930 articles of which ultimately 10 were selected for narrative analysis. Three key themes and eight subthemes were identified. First, the perceived benefits of community ambulance care which according to participants improved: health status and literacy; created a safety net; and provided holistic care. Second, ambulance professionals that were regarded as excellent clinicians due to: their interpersonal and communication skills; the importance they put on building rapport; and their ability to provide reassurance for vulnerable patients. Finally, participants preferred to be treated within the community instead of the hospital as such treatment provided: timely and accessible care in the home environment; and is better aligned with the principles of patient and family-centred care.

Conclusion

The patient-clinician bond allows for a trusting and collaborative relationship in ambulance services with both patients and family, as a unit of care, resulting in a more personalised, and functional approach to care provision.