Patient Advocacy and Equity Flashcards

A paramedic crew is called to a homeless shelter for a person with a history of alcohol use disorder who is complaining of severe abdominal pain. One paramedic remarks, "It's probably just his gastritis acting up again, we don't need to rush." This comment is an example of a failure in which principle of health equity?

Answer: Allowing implicit bias to influence clinical decision-making.

This statement demonstrates implicit bias, where stereotypes about a person's social situation (homelessness) and medical history (alcohol use disorder) lead to a dismissive clinical assumption. [13, 19] Equitable care requires every patient to receive a thorough, unbiased assessment, as serious medical conditions can be overlooked when assumptions are made. [7, 9]

Which of the following actions best demonstrates a paramedic acting as a patient advocate regarding the social determinants of health?

Answer: Documenting and communicating observed factors, such as unsafe living conditions or lack of food, to the receiving hospital staff. [1]

A paramedic's advocacy role concerning social determinants of health involves identifying and communicating relevant social factors to the broader healthcare team. [1, 5, 11] This information provides crucial context, allowing receiving staff to connect the patient with social workers, dietitians, or other resources, thereby addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just the acute symptoms. [3, 15]

A paramedic is treating an intellectually disabled adult for a minor laceration. The patient's legal guardian insists that the paramedic sedate the patient for the wound cleaning, even though the patient is calm and cooperative. The patient appears frightened by the suggestion. What is the paramedic's primary advocacy role?

Answer: Politely refuse to administer an unnecessary medical intervention and explain the clinical reasoning to the guardian. [10]

The paramedic's primary duty is to the patient's well-being, which is guided by the principle of non-maleficence (do no harm). [6] Administering sedation when not clinically indicated would be a breach of this duty. The paramedic must advocate for the patient by declining to perform an unnecessary procedure and clearly explaining why it is not in the patient's best interest, even when faced with pressure from a legal guardian. [2, 14]

When providing care to a patient from a First Nations community, which of the following actions best demonstrates a commitment to culturally safe care?

Answer: Respectfully asking the patient if they would like a family member to be present during the assessment and treatment. [12]

Cultural safety involves creating a healthcare environment where the patient feels respected and their cultural values are acknowledged. [16, 27] For many Indigenous peoples, family and community are integral to well-being. [27] Offering to include a family member gives the patient control and shows respect for their cultural norms, which is a key tenet of providing culturally safe and equitable care. [12]

A paramedic crew in a remote northern community responds to a patient with a time-sensitive emergency. The nearest appropriate hospital is several hours away by ground. To provide care that is equitable to a patient in an urban centre, what is the paramedic's most important advocacy action?

Answer: Initiate contact with dispatch to determine the availability and feasibility of an air ambulance intercept. [25]

Health equity means striving for the same quality of outcomes for all patients, which may require using different resources to overcome barriers like geography. [23, 26] Advocating for an air ambulance is a critical step to mitigate the risk associated with long transport times, aiming to provide the patient with a similar chance of a positive outcome as a patient located closer to definitive care. [25]

Trauma-informed care is a key practice for ensuring health equity, as it acknowledges the high prevalence of trauma among patients. Which of the following is a core principle of a trauma-informed approach in paramedicine?

Answer: Creating a sense of safety, building trust, and providing the patient with choices and a sense of control. [4, 17]

The foundation of trauma-informed care is not about treating the trauma itself, but about practicing in a way that avoids re-traumatization. [4, 8] This is achieved by adhering to principles such as ensuring physical and psychological safety, being transparent to build trust, and empowering the patient by offering choices, which helps restore a sense of control that is often lost during traumatic experiences. [17, 20, 22]