Table 2 Pre-hospital EMS research topics

Airway, Breathing and Pulmonology

 – Open/secure airway (e.g. intubation)

 – Mechanical ventilation (devices)

 – Auscultation

 – Oxygen supply

 – Pharmaceutical intervention in COPD

 – CO2

 – Hyperventilation

Circulation and Cardiology

 – Shock therapy

 – Resuscitation & devices, and therapeutically hypothermia treatment

 – Assessment of acute cardiac signs & symptoms

 – Diagnostics/ECG for acute cardiac signs & symptoms

 – ACS management

 – Sepsis

Disability, Exposure and Neurology

 – Pain management

 – Assessment of acute neurologic signs & symptoms

 – Intoxication (alcohol/drugs)

 – Neurological exam (Glasgow Coma Scale)

 – (Unintentional) hypothermia

Traumatology

 – Immobilisation

 – Consult Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

 – Pain management in trauma

Internal medicine

 – Acute gastro-intestinal complaints

 – Diabetes

Gynaecology/Obstetrics

 – Childbirth: CTG, care management for young born & mother

 – Maternal haemorrhage

Psychiatry

 – Emergency psychiatric care

Organisation of care

 – Care and task substitution (e.g. MANP & PA)

 – Cost-effectiveness

 – e-Health

 – Non-conveyance to hospital

 – First responders (police, fireman, citizens)

 – Rapid responders

 – Availability of ambulance EMS

Collaboration in the chain of emergency care

 – Registration

 – Hand over/ registration / exchange of patient data

 – Feedback/evaluation

 – Safety of employees

Quality of Care

 – Performance measures for quality of care

 – Patient Safety

 – Triage

 – Protocols and protocol adherence

 – Stay and play versus scoop and run

 – Patient perspective

Education

 – Professional behaviour

 – Competences (knowledge, skills and attitude)

 – Education programs (e.g.. simulation)

 – e-Learning

 – Tests and exams (e.g. peer assessment)