Stethoscopes and Scissors

A Longitudinal Research Project Testing Role Identity Dissonance Among Paramedic Students and Professionals.

Did you know that approximately 80% of 911 calls received by paramedics fall outside the scope of high‑acuity medical emergencies? In a continually strained healthcare system, the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS)—used by emergency medical dispatchers and prehospital professionals—helps categorize the urgency of calls. According to experts such as Paramedic Chief Mike Nolan, who recently spoke in the paramedic program’s professional development course, roughly 80% of these calls are “low acuity but high complexity.” Nolan noted that these socially complex calls, which make up the majority of paramedic responses, can be more challenging both professionally and personally.

Recognizing this reality—and building on emerging Canadian research highlighting the need for interdisciplinary understanding of role identity theory, trauma‑informed care, and psychosocial health—a team of researchers successfully secured a College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grant, administered by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). The three‑year longitudinal study, Stethoscopes and Scissors: A Longitudinal Research Project Testing Role Identity Dissonance Among Paramedic Students and Professionals, received $358,617 in funding. The project is led by principal investigator Dr. Chris Martin, with co‑investigators Diana McGlinchey, Ashley Murfin, and Dr. Alyssa Ferns.

This investment will support meaningful advancements in both the profession and the education of future paramedics. Using a mixed‑methods approach—including survey instruments and semi‑structured interviews—the research team will identify emerging themes with direct, real‑world impact.

The project exemplifies applied research through its partnerships with Renfrew Paramedic Service and the McNally Project for Paramedicine Research, whose collaboration, guidance, and operational insights strengthen the study’s relevance and reach.

The team is also supported by leading external collaborators in Canadian paramedicine research, including Dr. Justin Mausz, Dr. Michael Corman, and Dr. Elizabeth Donnelly.