19 DECEMBER 2023Community Paramedicine ­ what is it and how is it benefitting our provincial health systems?By Sherri Julé, Director EMS - North | Community Paramedicine Programs, Saskatchewan Health AuthorityThe formal definition of Community Paramedicine (CP) is just as it sounds; community based care where paramedics apply their training and skills to those in need. What's unique about this type of professional is that Paramedics are providing health care in a "non-traditional" community-based environment; often outside the usual emergency response and transportation models. The Paramedics apply a combination of core training, specialized skills and protocols.Sherri Julé is the Director of Emergency Medical Services, North and for the SHA's Community Paramedicine Program. She has been leading this work since 2011 within the Saskatchewan Health Authority "Community Paramedicine has been around for quite some time and continues to be very innovative," said Julé. "It allows Paramedics to work in the community and apply specialized skills to a very unique subset of the population in their home or close to their home. This type of care not only makes it easier on the patients, but on the system itself by supporting timely access to medical care for patients, where otherwise it may take hours or even days depending on where you live in Saskatchewan. This approach supports patients in their homes by enabling local teams to deliver care."It's important to note that CP is a resource that can be available as part of a larger, more comprehensive team. The care team may consist of Physicians, Nurse Practitioners (NP), Home Care staff, Registered Nurses (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Primary Care Paramedics (PCP), Intermediate Care Paramedics (ICP), Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP), Emergency Medical Responders (EMR), Critical Care Paramedics (CCP) and allied health professionals that support patients in the CP setting.The CP program within the SHA adheres to patient centred care goals (what is desirable/acceptable care for the patient) alongside the desired care environment for the patient, which is usually outlined during the planning Sherri JuléCXO INSIGHTSCXO INSIGHTSCXO INSIGHTS
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