Feasibility and Efficacy of Ambulance-Based m-Health for Pediatric Emergencies (FEAMER) Trial
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Investigators hypothesize that in a low-resource setting, linking ambulances that transport acutely ill children to a remote pediatric emergency physician using a simple audio-video device will improve the quality of these children's medical decisions and health outcomes. For this purpose, the investigators will conduct a study in Karachi, Pakistan, where they will collect medical data for ill children at the time of ambulance pickup, hospital drop-off, and during hospital triage. During transport, one group will receive a telemedicine call from a trained physician, while the other group will receive basic paramedic treatment. The investigators will then compare both groups.
Eligibility Criteria
CHILDREN Inclusion criteria: * Age 0-14 years * Children transported by an SIEHS ambulance with a transport time of ≥20 minutes * Children presenting to the ChildLife Emergency Department with a parent/ guardian present in the ambulance to consent * Children classified as "Charlie, Delta, Echo" on the Medical Priority Dispatch System Exclusion Criteria: • Children transported without an adult parent or guardian EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS (EMTs) Inclusion Criteria: • EMTs currently employed by the SIEHS EMS service. Exclusion Criteria: • EMTs who refuse to participate or consent to the study. TELEMEDICINE PHYSICIANS (TMPs) Inclusion Criteria: • TMPs currently employed by the CLF Telemedicine services. Exclusion Criteria: • TMPs who refuse to participate or consent to the study.