Observational studyScandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine2025
Factors affecting communication time in an emergency medical communication centers.
Observational study in Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Geriatrician telephone support for emergency medical dispatchers: safe alternatives for older patients at high risk of short-term emergency department visits.European geriatric medicine · 2026Article
- "Stay Calm and Pick Up Signs to Understand the Cause": Registered Nurses Use Multiple Strategies for Handling Difficult Emergency Calls.Journal of nursing management · 2026Article
- Emotional distress of callers requesting emergency medical communication center assistance and patient outcomes: a prospective observational study.BMC emergency medicine · 2025Observational
- Difficult calls to emergency medical dispatch centres - a mixed method study.BMC emergency medicine · 2025Article
- Introducing an on-site Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) physician at the Emergency Medical Communication Centre - implications for dispatch precision at a Norwegian HEMS base.Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundEmergency Medical Communication Centres (EMCCs) play a crucial role in emergency care by ensuring timely responses through telephone triage. However, extended communication times can impede accessibility, patient triage, and decision-making. Identifying the factors influencing communication duration is essential for improving EMCC efficiency.
objectiveThis study aims to identify temporal, human, and contextual factors associated with prolonged communication times in an EMCC where decision-making is conducted by physicians.
methodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study of all calls received at a French EMCC between March 1 and December 31, 2019. A total of 108,548 patient medical files were analyzed, excluding calls from medical personnel or hospitals. We examined the total communication time (from call initiation to decision) and the medical communication time (physician involvement). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with prolonged communication times.
resultsThe median total communication time was 7 min [IQR 5-11], and the median medical communication time was 3 min [IQR 2-4]. Psychiatric reasons for calling (OR = 1.75) and elderly patients (OR = 1.58) were associated with longer communication times. Calls leading to medical advice (OR = 1.48) and calls during weekends or nighttime were also significant factors. Conversely, calls for trauma or from nursing homes, and those handled by emergency physicians, were associated with shorter durations.
conclusionSeveral factors influence communication times in EMCCs, including patient demographics, reason for the call, and time of day.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.