ArticleBMC primary care2024
Understanding paramedic work in general practice in the UK: a rapid realist synthesis.
Article in BMC primary care, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Implementation of the Nursing Associate in the NHS: A Rapid Realist Synthesis to Understand Mechanisms of Integration and Workforce Development.Journal of clinical nursing · 2026Review
- Paramedic or GP consultations in primary care: prospective study comparing costs and outcomes.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
- Employment and deployment of additional staff roles in general practice: a realist evaluation of what works for whom, how, and why.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
- A realist evaluation to explain and understand the role of paramedics in primary care.BMC medicine · 2025Article
- Effect of Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme roles on prescription patterns and patient satisfaction in England: a retrospective panel data analysis.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundGeneral practice in the UK is under substantial pressure and practices are increasingly including paramedics as part of their workforce. Little is known about how different models of paramedic working may affect successful implementation of the role, as viewed from patient, clinician and system perspectives. This realist synthesis developed theories about 'models of paramedic working in general practice' in different UK contexts to understand their impact.
methodsThe rapid realist synthesis comprised data from: (1) empirical and grey literature searches; (2) semi-structured realist interviews with system leaders involved with the implementation of the role; and (3) a stakeholder event with healthcare professionals and the public, to develop initial programme theories that can be tested in future work. Sources were analysed using a realist approach that explored the data for novel or causal insights to generate initial programme theories.
resultsEmpirical sources (n = 32), grey sources (n = 95), transcripts from system leader interviews (n = 7) and audio summaries from the stakeholder event (n = 22 participants) were synthesised into a single narrative document. The findings confirmed the presence of a wide variety of models of paramedic working in UK general practice. The perceived success of models was influenced by the extent to which the paramedic service was mature and embedded in practice, and according to four theory areas: (1) Primary care staff understanding and acceptance of the paramedic role; (2) Paramedic induction process, including access to training, supervision and development opportunities; (3) Patient understanding and acceptance of the role; (4) Variations in paramedic employment models.
conclusionsVariability in how the paramedic role is operating and embedding into general practice across the UK affects the success of the role. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for future research to investigate various 'models of paramedic working' in different contexts.
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