PP33 Research priorities in the development of a national research strategy for paramedicine in ireland: a delphi study

<h3>Background</h3> Research is challenging in the unpredictable out-of-hospital setting and internationally research capacity and culture in paramedicine has developed slowly. In Ireland significant progress in education and research has been made in recent years and a national research strategy is currently being developed by the statutory regulator, the Pre-hospital Emergency Care Council. This study aims to establish research priorities, resources, process changes and outcome measures to inform the development of the national research strategy in Ireland. <h3>Methods</h3> The study design was an online modified Delphi which established the key aspects of the research strategy across three rounds via end-user consensus, set a priori at 70%. Participants were stakeholders involved in pre-hospital care or research in Ireland. The first round questionnaire (n=104 participants) consisted of open-ended questions and the results were coded and developed into themes for subsequent rounds of the Delphi with the second round (n=99) and third round (n=73) comprising closed-ended questions. <h3>Results</h3> Staff Wellbeing, Education &amp; Professionalism and Acute Medical Conditions were Research Priority areas which reached consensus. The Key Resources deemed imperative were Education, Staffing and Leadership. Education was a Key Process Change considered imperative to enable future research to occur. Outcome Measures reaching consensus were Patient Outcomes, Practitioner Development, Practitioner Wellbeing, Alternate Pathways, Evidence-based Practice and Staff Satisfaction. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The findings align with previous international studies with some key differences. Education has not previously been highlighted to this extent, which may reflect a more recent move to higher education in Ireland than in other jurisdictions. The focus on staff wellbeing may be due to the study timing relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. Limitations include less than optimal engagement from non-paramedic stakeholders. These findings provide a basis for the establishment of the national Irish strategy and may help inform international research policy in paramedicine.