Rural Emergency Medical Services Perspectives on Improving Acute Stroke Care: A Qualitative Study

For underserved rural communities with limited geographical access to comprehensive stroke centers, emergency medical services (EMS) play a crucial role in timely, high-quality acute stroke care. This qualitative study aimed to understand rural EMS perspectives on barriers and facilitators to optimal acute stroke care in rural communities. Qualitative, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with rural EMS professionals. Ten EMS agencies in North Carolina were contacted for participation in virtual 45–60 minute interviews and interested agency professionals self-selected into the study. Covered topics included stroke training and education; stroke care experience and expertise; clinical and sociodemographic patient characteristics; EMS workflows; and system- and patient-level interactions and outcomes. Recorded interviews were transcribed and then coded using an inductive and deductive, iterative approach by two independent reviewers in MAXQDA software. Facilitators and barriers to optimal acute stroke care were derived from thematic analysis. Twelve EMS professionals from 4 rural EMS agencies and 1 mixed urban-rural agency were interviewed. Participants worked in clinical (6 Paramedics, 1 EMT) and leadership (2 chiefs, 1 supervisor, 1 field training officer, 1 quality assurance manager) roles for a mean of 4 years (range 1–11 years). Commonly noted facilitators of high-quality stroke care were comprehensive stroke assessment and destination decision protocols, as well as bidirectional communication between EMS and hospital staff. Identified barriers included patient and bystander delays in calling 9-1-1, long transport distances to stroke centers, and limited EMS staffing. EMS professionals noted challenges interacting with nursing home staff and hospital clinicians during patient transfer. Interviewees also discussed the importance of educating the public about stroke signs and symptoms and community engagement. Within rural populations, EMS professionals determined that public education and community engagement are high-priority needs. Professionals also noted EMS’ opportunities to enhance rural stroke care through consistent bidirectional communication and improved prehospital protocols. Future research is needed to further explore these themes in rural EMS agencies outside of North Carolina.