Factors influencing paramedic decision-making in restraint v0.8
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative exploration of restraint decisions made by paramedics and advanced paramedics when managing patients presenting with acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in the pre-hospital setting.
IRAS ID
265010
Contact name
Jaqualine Lindridge
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Acute behavioural disturbance (ABD), also known as ‘excited delirium’, is a medical emergency. Patients often display ‘super-human’ strength and may require substantial physical restraint to enable treatment to take place. As healthcare professionals, paramedics may be required to make restraint decisions for this patient group, although they will not always be responsible for carrying out the restraint themselves. This is an emerging area of paramedic practice and there is a paucity of information on how paramedics make these decisions on which to base education and guidance.
The aim of the study is to explore decisions made by paramedics and advanced paramedics when managing a restraint incident in the context of ABD, and to identity opportunities to improve performance in this context.
Objectives:
The purpose of this research is to:
• Explore the factors which influence the decisions paramedics and advanced paramedics make when determining the need for physical and/ or chemical restraint of a person presenting with ABD;
• Explore the effect these factors have on decision-making, and
• Identify opportunities to improve decision-making in this area of practice and optimise paramedic education.This study will use thematic analysis to explore how paramedics and advanced paramedics make these decisions using data obtained by focus groups and interviews. This study is expected to last no longer than two years.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/WM/0028
Date of REC Opinion
3 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion