title: Consumer perspectives of a community paramedicine program in rural Ontario.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a community paramedicine program in rural Ontario, Canada, through the perceptions and experiences of consumers.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen adult consumers participated, representing all program components.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Meara
authors.affiliation: La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farmer
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019035:Rural Health Services
keywords: ambulance; community engagement; integration; primary care; rural health