The Alberta Health Services (AHS) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system is dedicated to providing effective and efficient pre-hospital care. To this end, AHS EMS is actively involved in advancing the science of paramedic care through research. To date, AHS EMS staff has been involved in more than 40 research projects, including:
A research project may involve the EMS crew recruiting potential participants, collecting data, administering an intervention under study, or participating in surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) all play an essential role in research.
When research findings are combined with knowledge from other jurisdictions, and with the experience of our senior leaders and staff, they have resulted in positive changes to policy and protocol that guide our care.