Role of Paramedical Staff in Healthcare

Abstract

The paramedical staff which includes nurses, laboratory technologists, radiographers, physiotherapists, emergency medical technicians, and other allied health providers is at the centre of health provision across the globe. In Pakistan, physician shortages, resource limitations, and large patient numbers are widespread and in such a setting, paramedical professionals are the key to the healthcare service and the main providers of preventive, diagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative services. This paper compares the duties, roles and contributions of the paramedical personnel in the tertiary hospitals in Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta by primary research based on surveys and interviews. The results show a lot of satisfaction among the patients at the paramedical services, but the factors involve insufficient training, lack of recognition and pressures at work. The paramedical staff is critical in enhancing access to and efficiency of healthcare and patient outcomes, as evidenced. The policies proposed are policy reforms, standardized education, professional development and planning of the work force in order to maximize their role in the healthcare system of Pakistan.