Summary of workplace behaviour studies
| First author, year (reference number) | Study design | Study subjects | Summary of findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper, 2004 [19] | Mixed-methods: matched controlled (non-ECP usual provider) survey; Interviews; Resource use and cost | Survey: 524 patients. Interviews: 16 NHS staff. Resource use: 56 patients | ECPs treated significantly (p=0.007) more patients on scene (28% compared with 18% by paramedics) and conveyed significantly fewer (p<0.000) patients (50% compared with 64% by paramedics). Key themes: Resource deployment; Training and education; Interagency cooperation collaboration; Patient care |
| Mason, 2007 [23] | Mixed-methods: matched controlled (non-ECP usual provider) survey; Interviews; Resource use and cost | Survey: 524 patients. Interviews: 16 NHS staff. Resource use: 56 patients | ECPs: No significant difference (5% level) in subsequent health or use of health services; Correspondingly ECP service led to cost saving of £291 (2006 prices) per patient. Patient satisfaction and number of treatments recorded was higher and frequency of investigations lower in adjusted and non-adjusted case-mix analysis (p<0.05) |
| Cooper, 2007 [28] | Survey; Workplace observation | 24 ECPs on 28 occasions; 611 patient audit forms | ECPs: score 79% or above on rating scales; Conveyance rate (38%) is lower than trust average (68%); Report referring 87% of referred cases with 96% of them successful; Report preventing an acute trust admission in 66% of cases |
| Cooper, 2007 [29] | Interviews; Field notes | 45 interviews (24 ECPs; 21 stakeholders) | (i) The ECP role (ii) Education and training (iii) Cultural perspectives |
| Halter, 2008 [30] | Matched control (to APs) | 152 796 patient cases (ECP: 9,183 and AP:143 613) | ECPs convey significantly (p<0.05) fewer patients to the ED than their AP colleagues (ECPs: 57%; APs: 79%). A statistical difference (p<0.05) is still evident after: case mix adjustment; subset of regions frequently attended by ECPs |
AP, Advanced practitioner; ECP, emergency care practitioner.