The views of paramedics and doctors across the UK are being sought to better understand how personal characteristics may influence access to, and experiences within, prehospital advanced critical care roles.
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) and Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) have launched a survey which will explore how characteristics including age, ethnicity, gender and disability influence individuals’ decision about pursuing or continuing advanced paramedic or air ambulance service careers.
The EPiCC Study (Equality, Diversity, and Protected Characteristics in Critical Care) survey can be filled in anonymously and is open until Sunday 29 June.
The survey will aim to identify barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion within the prehospital critical care workforce. The results will be used to help uncover any obstacles that hinder the development of a more inclusive and diverse workplace.
The EPiCC Study is being led by Jack Barrett, Paramedic and Senior Research Fellow at SECAmb and KSS and a cross-organisation research group.
Jack said: “Prehospital critical care plays a crucial role in saving lives in emergencies. However, it is a part of healthcare that can feel out of reach to many professionals. Our study will explore if and how personal identity and lived experience may present barriers – whether perceived or real – to entering or remaining in these high-impact roles.
“We're especially interested in experiences around discrimination, workplace inclusion, and the fairness of the recruitment and career progression processes. By listening to the voices of frontline clinicians, we aim to promote a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce in prehospital critical care.”
To learn more about the study and take part in the 15-minute survey, please follow the link or scan the QR code https://redcap.link/EPiCC