Uncomfortable Yet Necessary The Impact of PPE on Communication in Emergency Medicine

The authors describe results from focus groups and interviews with fire-based EMS responders about the effects of COVID-19 on the delivery of care. They found that PPE use affected responders’ efficiency in responding to calls, ability to detect patient symptoms; and ability to communicate with patients and their loved ones, their fellow responders, transport agencies, and hospitals and clinicians. Responders also reported facing hostility from members of the public opposed to their use of PPE. The authors describe some of the solutions used to address communications challenges and suggest areas in need of additional research.