Background Pre-hospital analgesia research relies on the unfortunate circumstances of patients in their time of need and in severe pain. The PACKMaN trial involves research paramedics gaining post event consent and follow up of patients suffering traumatic injuries. With changes to practise following Covid-19, it is important to see how interaction with patients in the community affects continued participation.

Methods This analysis compares how research paramedic interaction affects consent and follow up. The two ambulance Trusts involved took different approaches for contact – Trust A opting for face-to-face visits where possible, Trust B telephone calls. For follow up, Trust A used a method the patient chose at consent (mainly telephone calls) and Trust B, sent postal questionnaires. Consent and follow up details were recorded for each participant including the method in which contact was made, the consent decision and days to each timepoint.

Results 241/354 (68%) patients have currently given consent. Consent was provided by 72% of Trust A participants and 64% of Trust B participants. Most consent interactions have been made by telephone (n=227, 141(62%) consented, median 9 days to decision), followed by face-to-face (n=88, 86(97%) consented, median 16 days to decision). 67 patients did not respond, 52 were from Trust B and were only contacted by telephone, whereas Trust A tried multiple approaches if at first unsuccessful. Face-to-face consent produces 80% follow up, whereas those originally consented via telephone or post have 75% follow up.

Conclusion While a face-to-face approach could be deemed ‘more successful’ by accounts of higher consent receipt and follow up, it is more logistically challenging for research paramedics. Depending on geographical distribution of patients and nature of future studies, it is well worth considering the benefits to increased research paramedic resourcing. Further research and engagement with PPI groups may help to improve rates of consent and follow up.