Case study: An important contribution - Zoe's story

Zoe Green, a Research Paramedic from Shropshire was inspired to get involved in research, back when she was studying at University and a senior team member came to talk to the students about the trials taking place in the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS).

She has worked on research trials for two of the five years since she qualified as a Paramedic and says: 

“It was so interesting as at that time I had no idea how much research WMAS does. Patients deserve treatments that work, and research helps find that out.”

When a research role became available, she jumped at the chance. “There was a steep learning curve changing from 100% patient-facing to a more background role, but it’s just as vital to the Trust.”

Zoe’s role includes collecting trial data, liaising with study teams, consenting patients and following them up afterwards. She is currently working on the SPEEDY and PARAMEDIC-3 trials along with her colleagues from around the region. Zoe is looking forward to seeing the results of the recently completed PACKMaN study, which are due to be published in summer 2024.  It looked at whether ketamine is better than morphine for the management of severe pain from traumatic injury.

“I love that we get to be in touch with patients after they have left our care - it means we can feed  back to the teams and also pass on the patients’ thanks.”

Even though she is passionate about research, Zoe acknowledges there are challenges, such as making time for the additional tasks, when the service is under pressure.

“Most ambulance staff know the important contribution research makes to improving future treatments and it can sometimes be difficult to fit it in, but it’s so vital to involve patients in their own care, giving them a voice. I would really encourage my colleagues to think about adding research to their career.”

Interested in signing up to research?  Find out more at the Be Part of Research website.  

Find information on research at the Trust.