The Influence of Environmental Factors on Prehospital Care Delivery: A Literature Review
Prehospital care is a vital component of emergency medical services (EMS) that significantly influences patient outcomes. This literature review investigates the impact of various environmental factors on prehospital care delivery, encompassing geographical, socio-economic, and infrastructural elements. The review synthesizes findings from 45 studies, revealing that geographical disparities, particularly between urban and rural areas, lead to longer response times and limited access to EMS, adversely affecting patient care. Socio-economic factors, including community health status and cultural attitudes towards healthcare, further complicate access and responsiveness to emergencies. Additionally, infrastructure quality, such as transportation and communication systems, plays a crucial role in facilitating effective prehospital interventions. The analysis highlights significant gaps in the current literature, particularly regarding the interplay of these factors and the lack of longitudinal studies that track changes over time. Recommendations for future research include the need for standardized measures to assess environmental influences, interdisciplinary approaches to explore complex interactions, and investigations into the role of technology in mitigating environmental challenges.
Keywords: prehospital care, emergency medical services, environmental factors, socio-economic influences, infrastructure.
