Doctorate Title: A qualitative exploration of restraint decisions made by paramedics and advanced paramedics when managing patients presenting with acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in the pre-hospital setting.
Doctorate Description: An exploratory study of the factors which influence decisions made by paramedics and advanced paramedics when treating suspected ABD patients in the pre-hospital setting where a decision is required as to whether a patient should be restrained. Depending on skill-level of the clinician, and the context in which they work, restraint may be physical or chemical. This study will use thematic analysis to explore how paramedics and advanced paramedics make these decisions; using data obtained by focus groups and interviews.