Paramedic delivery of community-based palliative care: An overlooked resource?

Abstract

Paramedics are increasingly seen as an integral component of health systems in high income countries. This editorial discusses the factors driving the evolution of paramedicine and the role paramedics may play in the delivery of community-based palliative care. The challenges facing paramedics in palliative care contexts are reviewed briefly. Ultimately, this editorial argues that paramedics are important stakeholders in the delivery of community-based palliative care and have been a notable omission in health service policy and planning.

Keywords:

• Ambulance
• Palliative care
• Paramedic
• Paramedicine
• Role

ORCID

David Long http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6278-7377