Sources of disagreement among public and private agency paramedics.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to document the occurrence and causes of disagreements between paramedics in a tiered-response emergency medical services (EMS) system. METHODS. This cohort analysis of disagreements between paramedics sampled 63 male public agency, 90 male private agency, and 41 female private agency paramedics. Paramedics responded to Likert-type items and one open-ended item concerning the occurrence of conflict between paramedics.


RESULTS
On-scene conflict between EMS personnel from public and private agencies was reported by 70% of the respondents. Conflicts that interfered with patient care were reported to occur more frequently between paramedics from different types of agencies. The most commonly mentioned subject of disagreement was patient treatment, followed by patient transport, interpersonal and interagency conflicts, and patient assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
A majority of paramedics have experienced on-scene disagreements with other paramedics. Disagreements occur more frequently between paramedics from different agencies and encompass a wide range of issues concerning patient care and interpersonal relationships.
Federiuk
C S
CS
Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
O'Brien
K
K
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D017149:Private Sector; D017150:Public Sector; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires