What do Canadians think about paramedics?
As the crisis in healthcare grips more and more Canadians, the political upside of empowering paramedics to do more is clear.
Earlier today, my firm released a new poll commissioned by the Paramedic Association of Canada.
The survey finds concerns over various aspects of Canada's healthcare system have significantly grown since 2021, with most Canadians citing emergency room wait times (66%), surgery wait times (63%), hospital overcrowding (59%), and access to a family doctor (56%) as major issues. Paramedic response times are also viewed as a major problem by 36% of Canadians, marking a 15-point increase since 2021. Notably, this issue is deemed more significant in BC (46%) and Alberta (39%).
Evidently, older Canadians are more inclined to perceive these issues as severe, particularly surgery wait times, which are viewed as a significant problem by 66% of those aged 60 and over.
Paramedics: A Central Figure in Canada's Healthcare System
Paramedics hold substantial respect among Canadians, with 89% expressing considerable respect for them. Most Canadians (57%) view paramedics as central figures in the healthcare system, alongside doctors (74%) and registered nurses (64%).
Trust in paramedics for making immediate medical decisions is high, with 82% of Canadians expressing confidence, in line with the trust placed in nurses (81%) and doctors (85%). This trust extends to those treated by a paramedic, with 87% indicating high trust in their decision-making ability.
Community Paramedicine Gains Strong Support
Community paramedicine, a model allowing paramedics to deliver healthcare in urgent and non-urgent but non-life-threatening situations, has received overwhelming approval. About 83% of Canadians support this model, with only 2% opposing it. Support for community paramedicine is especially strong among women, with 47% strongly backing the idea. Across party lines, supporters of the Liberal, Conservative, and NDP parties also widely endorse this model.
With concerns about healthcare access and capacity rising, Canadians believe in harnessing the potential of paramedics. Around 70% perceive paramedics as healthcare providers, emergency responders, or both. Given the choice, 2 in 3 Canadians would allow a paramedic to decide the most effective treatment option in a medical emergency, versus 22% who would prefer to be taken to the hospital.
The Upshot
As healthcare continues to be a top concern for Canadians, the role of paramedics in improving access and outcomes is increasingly recognized. Paramedics are trusted, respected, and deemed essential to the healthcare system. The strong support for community paramedicine reflects the trust and value placed on paramedics, with women in particular appreciating the peace of mind offered by this approach.
Political managers looking for an easy and effective win should look to the role paramedics can play in improving access to healthcare. Doing so will signal to voters that political leaders understand the problem and are thinking of innovative ways to solve it.
You can access the full analysis here: https://abacusdata.ca/conservative-government-will-do-canada/