By Bram Duffee, PhD, EMT-P

Qualitative research often remains a mystery to those in medicine who are accustomed to the clear-cut, numerical results of quantitative studies. Yet, when it comes to understanding complex, human-centric issues, qualitative research is indispensable. Take the COVID-19 pandemic, for example—an event where numbers alone cannot fully capture the profound human experiences involved.

Unlike quantitative research, which answers yes or no questions or delivers numerical data, qualitative methods delve deeper into the human elements of a topic. One powerful approach is conducting interviews, especially when the interviewer shares a cultural or professional background with the participants as an insider to the community. This method promotes openness and authentic disclosure, as demonstrated in two studies exploring the experiences of paramedics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recent episode of "EMS Research with Professor Bram" a spotlight was cast on these insights.1 Paramedic researcher Nigel Barr, PhD, RN, RP, from Australia shared his research study where they interviewed Australian paramedics about the challenges and facilitators they faced while responding to COVID-19 cases. His research uncovered themes that included communication, fear and risk, leadership, protective work factors, and change. Intriguingly, some paramedics reported a reduced perception of risk and heightened empathy for COVID-19 patients after personally contracting the virus themselves.2

Highlighting the significance of qualitative research, Dr. Barr remarks, "Numbers work well for testing theories, but when it comes to generating new ones, the hard work of interviews, coding and theming is essential."

Parallel to this, as a paramedic researcher myself, I was conducting a similar study in the United States, interviewing American paramedics. This research was different because it sought to understand how treatment of respiratory patients shifted when looking at the time before covid versus during the pandemic. Findings of this study showed that paramedics had a tendency to over-categorize all respiratory patients as COVID-positive. Also, participants noted changes in practice, such as reduced use of stethoscopes and avoidance of nebulized treatments in confined spaces due to transmission fears.3

These qualitative studies offer insights that mere data cannot, underscoring the need for paramedics to engage in research that directly impacts their field. “We should be trying to support the capacity of paramedics to do research. We should have the control over our own discipline ... Because if we take research from another discipline, another area, another setting, it is always going to be a square peg round hole. We have to test those outcomes in our own environment. We have to find out what works. What doesn't work,” says Dr. Barr.

Research studies involving paramedics in both Australia and the United States demonstrate the unique benefits of qualitative research through interviews. By employing paramedic researchers to engage directly with their peers on topics that deeply impact them, these studies reveal the nuanced understanding that only rich, narrative-driven descriptions can provide. Qualitative interviews shed light on the human side of medical practice, revealing details and challenges that numbers alone might miss. These interviews help us understand the deeper aspects of healthcare, offering insights that go beyond traditional numbers.

References

1. https://youtu.be/_lBTF-8x7p4
2. Howarth, U., Zimmerman, P. A., van de Mortel, T. F., & Barr, N. (2024). Paramedics’ experiences of barriers to, and enablers of, responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), 678.
3. Duffee, B. (2023). COVID-19 and paramedic response: Overcategorization concerns in respiratory patients. Journal of Paramedicine and Emergency Response. Available online https://www.airitilibrary.com/Article/Detail/P20210804002-N202311070009-00029