Education on Heart Attack and Emergency Medical Services Response in Areas with High Risk and Low EMS Utilization: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Study - Summary - MDSpire
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Education on Heart Attack and Emergency Medical Services Response in Areas with High Risk and Low EMS Utilization: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Study

  • By

  • Janet E. Bray

  • Ziad Nehme

  • Judith C. Finn

  • Jessica Kasza

  • Janelle Woods

  • Robyn A. Clark

  • Dion Stub

  • Dominique A. Cadilhac

  • Joosup Kim

  • Ben J. Smith

  • Susie Cartledge

  • Alison Beauchamp

  • Rhys Bowden

  • Natasha Dodge

  • Elizabeth Flemming-Judge

  • Clara Chow

  • Nicholas Cox

  • William van Gaal

  • Voltaire Nadurata

  • Peter Cameron

  • Heart Matters Investigators

  • Karen Smith

  • Tony Walker

  • Adam J Stormont

  • Amanda K Buttery

  • Roni Beauchamp

  • Erin R Bowen

  • Roslyn Cochrane

  • James Nigro

  • Donna N Koik

  • Alicja T Najbar-Kaszkiel

  • Nousa Sooriah

  • Anita Sterling

  • Georgie Ockenden

  • Elizabeth Cerini

  • Kelly E Donnelly

  • Jesse D Lewis

  • Ararso Olani

  • Kelly-Ann Jolly

  • April 27, 2026

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Objective:

To evaluate whether a multifaceted community education campaign in high-risk local government areas (LGAs) improves ACS knowledge, increases awareness of personal risk, and prompts appropriate treatment-seeking behaviors, ultimately aiming to reduce delays in seeking emergency care.

Key Findings:
  • The intervention aimed to improve awareness of ACS symptoms and the importance of EMS use, with preliminary data suggesting a positive trend in treatment-seeking behaviors.
  • High-risk LGAs were identified based on ACS presentations, cardiac arrest incidence, and ACS knowledge surveys.
  • The trial included diverse demographic engagement strategies and educational materials tailored to local communities, with initial feedback indicating increased community engagement.
Interpretation:

Targeting high-risk communities with tailored educational interventions may enhance ACS knowledge and EMS utilization, potentially improving clinical outcomes and informing future public health strategies.

Limitations:
  • Hospital-based research was not feasible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may limit the generalizability of findings.
  • Changes from the original trial protocol may affect data collection and outcomes, introducing potential biases.
Conclusion:

The study highlights the importance of community-specific education in improving ACS awareness and EMS response in high-risk areas, underscoring the need for sustained educational efforts.

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