Communication handover barriers among nurses and paramedics in emergency care settings: A call for structured interprofessional solutions

Effective communication during clinical handovers is a fundamental component of patient safety and care continuity, particularly in emergency care settings where time-critical decisions are routine. Yet, numerous studies have revealed significant barriers in interprofessional handovers between nurses and paramedics, ranging from structural communication deficits to role ambiguity and organizational culture [1, 2]. In a comprehensive review, Cohen and Hilligoss (2010) emphasized that hospital handoff practices remain highly variable, fragmented, and inadequately standardized, resulting in information gaps that can compromise the quality of care [2]. This issue is exacerbated in resource-constrained and high-stakes environments such as emergency departments, where rapid patient turnover demands seamless coordination [1].