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Ambulance services are often utilised for low-acuity conditions. This study seeks to understand under what medical circumstances the Australian public perceive it to be appropriate to call triple zero requesting ambulance assistance.

A total of 544 participants completed a 15-minute online survey distributed via social media, flyers and email links. Participants viewed 17 medical case study scenarios, developed in consultation with a panel of paramedic experts, and were asked to select which of nine possible medical interventions was most appropriate. A panel of paramedic experts reached consensus for each case study on whether it was or was not appropriate to call for triple zero assistance.

Inappropriate medical intervention responses were more prevalent in scenarios deemed appropriate for ambulance assistance, compared with scenarios where an ambulance call-out was …