What Do We Truly Know About Situational Awareness in Paramedicine?

Background: Paramedics, crews, patients, and the public may be at risk for injury or medical error without situational awareness (SA). Currently SA has received very little attention in the setting of paramedicine. 

Objective: Review and identify the current literature related to SA and paramedicine

Methods: Extensive searches of electronic databases (5) were conducted to identify papers published related to paramedicine and SA. A narrative approach was then used to synthesize and map the literature. 

Results: Utilizing the two concepts of paramedicine and SA, 1,125 papers were initially identified. After screening, 20 papers were then included for qualitative synthesis. It was identified that there is very little empirical understanding of paramedicine in the context of SA.

Conclusions: Industries such as commercial aviation, offshore oil drilling, and nuclear energy have all been shown to experience few errors and a reduction in accidents when each professional possesses SA. However, SA has not been researched in paramedicine to the same degree as these other industries. Further research is needed in order to identify the potential effects of possessing or not possessing SA in the setting of paramedicine.