READ ME File For 'A mixed methods investigation of paramedic independent prescribing (PIP) in emergency and urgent care (EUC)'  
Dataset DOI: 10.5258/SOTON/D3498
ReadMe Author: Adam Bedson, University of Southampton ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3583-645X 

This dataset supports the thesis entitled: A mixed methods investigation of paramedic independent prescribing (PIP) in emergency and urgent care (EUC). 

AWARDED BY: University of Southampton DATE OF AWARD: [2025]  

DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA: This data contains: 

1. Interview transcripts of online semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of key stakeholders who held high level, strategic views and experiences on the research topic of PIP in EUC. 
Interviews were conducted online using Microsoft Teams, audio recorded and transcribed. Interviews were conducted online during 2022-2023. Participants included individuals working in strategic leadership roles 
with the College of Paramedics, NHS England, higher education and different NHS Trusts. Participant details have been omitted to ensure anonymity. However due to the nature of 
participants, they may still be identifiable from the data, which is therefore restricted in access.  

2. Field note data: Case study research was conducted in an emergency department and out of hours urgent care service during 2023-2024. 
Field note data captures non-participant observation of PIP practice, reflective conversations in the field with PIP participants and their colleagues, 
alongside observations of relevant site meetings and site documents captured during field work. Additional site documents such as policies and job descriptions 
have not been included as these could not be sufficiently anonymised.  3. Case study interview transcripts: At each case study site, a range of staff in clinical and 
leadership roles were interviewed, all but one interview occurred online using Microsoft Teams. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed.   
Information about geographic location of data collection: Not included to protect site anonymity.

3. Prescribing frequency data: From each case site, anonymised prescribing data were obtained for all PIPs for the year of 2023, in the ED site, an updated dataset from January-August 2024 was also provided for the purpose of analysing Controlled Drug prescribing by PIPs following a change in legislation on 31/12/2023 to allow them to prescribe five Controlled Drugs. This data were not available from the urgent care case site due to a software error.
Additionally, from each case site, the Controlled Drug prescribing data from non-paramedic prescribers working in the ED (doctors and nurse advanced clinical practitioners in emergency medicine) and urgent care out of hours service (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) were also obtained for comparison with PIP data. This data covers as 12 month period January-December 2023.



Funded by NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship grant (NIHR 302127)   

Date that the file was created: May, 2025.