Audiovisual Consultations in Prehospital Emergency Care: Randomised Controlled Trial
Czechia600 participantsStarted 2019-10-17
Plain-language summary
This study investigates safety and efficacy of the use of audiovisual consultations of emergency medical service (EMS) doctor by paramedics for low urgency events in areas covered with paramedic crews only from emergency medical service stations with distant access to hospital.
Who can participate
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. the call is evaluated as low urgency event (by criteria of Karlovy Vary EMS call-taker manual; the event is dedicated for paramedic crew only, without dispatchig doctor on site),
. the case is determined for and will be served by one of 11 for study dedicated of total 19 paramedic crews in Karlovy Vary EMS,
. dedicated doctor of Karlovy Vary EMS will be available for consultation during his shift.
Exclusion criteria
. need for escalation of the care: paramedics' requirement for the doctor to arrive at the scene of intervention,
. consulting doctor is not available for the study at the moment of randomisation,
. consultation with other than trained and for study dedicated doctors,
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Non-transport of low urgency EMS case to hospital
Timeframe: until 200 cases per group are collected, estimated time 6-8 weeks from the beginning of the study
. study refusal by the patient or legal representative, or refusal of audiovisual consultation,
. technical, logistic or other (agressive patient, patient detained by police) problems evaluated by paramedic crew (not to conduct a study in PHONE and especially VIDEO group)