Paramedicine

Paramedicine is a branch of emergency medical services focused on pre-hospital and out-of-hospital patient care delivered by paramedics and related professionals. It encompasses the clinical assessment, management, and transport of individuals with illness or injury in settings ranging from ambulances to air medical transport, and increasingly in community-based care in some jurisdictions.

Paramedics are trained to perform advanced life support procedures, administer medications, interpret ECGs, manage airways, control hemorrhage, immobilize injuries, and provide rapid transport to appropriate facilities. Training typically involves accredited programs at diploma or degree levels, with licensure or registration required by national or regional authorities. Ongoing continuing professional development and adherence to medical oversight and local protocols are common elements of practice.

Historically, paramedicine grew from emergency medical technician services in the mid-20th century, expanding to include advanced life support and more integrated EMS systems. The scope of practice varies by jurisdiction and is guided by laws, regulations, and medical direction. In many places, there are evolving roles such as community paramedicine or mobile integrated health, enabling paramedics to perform preventive care, chronic disease management, home visits, and public health outreach to extend care beyond urgent transport.

Practice settings include the emergency response system, interfacility and critical care transport, disaster response, and, in some models, broader public health initiatives. Challenges include regulatory variation, funding, workforce shortages, and the need for robust evidence on outcomes. Paramedicine remains central to acute care delivery and increasingly intersects with primary care, public health, and health system resilience.