Longtime paramedic Ryan Fitzpatrick has embarked on a new phase in his career, becoming a researcher in the Department of Emergency Medicine. He is the principal investigator in a study called Paramedics Providing POCUS for Difficult Intravenous Access in the Emergency Department. This prospective study aims to assess the success rates of intravenous cannulation with the help of a paramedic team.

Ryan has been working as a paramedic for 20 years and, since February 2022, has been a critical care paramedic (CCP) in the emergency department. Ryan’s interest in research began during his CCP course at the NS Health Learning Institute for Health Care Providers. After a few conversations with Ryan about research, Dr. Sam Campbell, the supervisor investigator, encouraged Ryan to pursue research. With support from DalEM’s research department, Ryan wrote an approved protocol, recruited 15 paramedics, and is collecting data.

The results of the study will be ready to present in a year, and Ryan looks forward to sharing the results at upcoming conferences, such as CAEP 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. Research has sparked Ryan’s interest in continuing education and advancing the scope of paramedicine practice in Nova Scotia.

Apart from work, Ryan enjoys watching his kids play hockey and dance. He also works at Mooseheads games and loves to travel.