Acceptance of cross-border emergency medical services

Background: To establish cross-border emergency medical services between Germany and Poland, it is necessary to involve all stakeholders. Our research is the first empirical study to record the recipient population's acceptance of emergency care delivered by foreign rescue services.Materials and methods: A total of 422 people from Germany and Poland participated in the qualitative survey. Structured interviews were conducted using a protocol. The answers were electronically recorded and then categorized for analysis.Results: Overall, 99% and 97% of German and Polish respondents, respectively, were willing to seek medical care from a neighboring country's emergency medical service if it could be reached faster than the domestic one. Several challenges that may complicate interaction between the rescue team and the affected persons were identified. In particular, language barriers, uncertainties about financing of treatment costs, and different medical standards were mentioned. To counteract these challenges, most respondents had formulated potential solutions.Conclusion: Despite the challenges that cross-border emergency care can entail, more than 97% of respondents are willing to seek care from a foreign emergency medical service. Quick care was given much higher priority by respondents than the associated challenges.