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Introduction: The Collaborative Emergency Centre (CEC) model of health care delivery was implemented in rural Nova Scotia in July 2011 without an identifiable, directly comparable precedent. It features interprofessional teams working under one roof with the goal of providing improved access to timely primary health care, and appropriate access to 24/7 emergency care. One important component of the CEC model is overnight staffing by a paramedic/registered nurse team consulting with an offsite physician via telephone. Our objective was to ascertain the attitudes, feelings and experiences of paramedics working within the CEC construct. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study, guided by the principles of grounded theory. Semi-structured telephone interviews were carried out by the principal investigator with paramedics with experience working in a CEC in the province of Nova Scotia. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed. Analysis involved an inductive and deductive grounded approach using constant comparative analysis. Data collection and analysis continued until thematic saturation was reached. Results: Fourteen paramedics participated in the study. The majority were male (n=10, 71%), with a mean age of 44 years (STD=8.8) and mean experience as a paramedic of 14 years (STD=9.7). Four major themes were identified from the data: 1) leadership support, encompassing support from Emergency Health Services and Government prior to and after implementation of the model, 2) team work and collaboration, including interprofessional relationships among members of the healthcare team, 3) value to patients and the communities, and 4) professional and personal benefits of working in CECs. Conclusion: Paramedics have found working in CECs to be both professionally and personally rewarding. They perceive the CEC model to be of great value to the patients and communities it serves. Key lessons that might help future expansion of the model in Nova Scotia and other jurisdictions across the country include the importance of building and strengthening relationships between paramedics and nurses, and the need for greater feedback and support from leadership.
