Integrating Geriatric House Call Practice into Paramedic Education: A Novel Educational Approach on Attitudes and Acceptance

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptance of integrating geriatric house call practice clinical exposure into paramedic education and to explore the impact on attitudes towards older adults among paramedic students.Methods: Paramedic students from a fire department training program participated in a geriatric house call practice in collaboration with an academic health system. Pre- and post-program surveys were conducted to evaluate changes in attitudes towards older adults using the Ageing Semantic Differential (ASD) scale. Patient feedback on paramedic involvement was collected through post-visit surveys.Results: Six paramedic students completed 25 house call visits over eight weeks. All respondents emphasized the importance of learning about geriatric care for paramedics and recognized the educational value of the house call program. Patient feedback indicated high satisfaction and enjoyment with paramedic involvement, with no perceived interference in the provider-patient relationship. Despite limited statistical significance due to the small sample size, the pilot program demonstrated feasibility and acceptability among paramedic students and geriatric patients. Patient and care partner feedback underscored the positive impact of paramedic involvement in primary care settings. Anecdotal evidence suggested improvement in paramedic students' geriatric assessment and communication skills.Conclusion: This pilot study provides evidence supporting geriatric house call practice integration into paramedic education. The positive reception from students and patients indicates the potential for this educational initiative to enhance geriatric care delivery and foster interprofessional collaboration. Future research should focus on expanding the program to larger cohorts and assessing its impact on knowledge acquisition and attitudes toward older adults.