Evaluation of university students' use of prehospital emergency medical services

Purpose Despite increasing demand, the capacity for emergency medical services (EMSs) is limited. Thus, understanding EMS use patterns by different societal segments is important for developing strategies for appropriate EMS use. This study characterized the causes and rates of EMS use among college students residing on and/or near campus and examined the factors associated with ambulance use. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory sequential mixed method was used to collect data on EMS calls by university students residing on and/or near Artvin Coruh University campus in 2019–2023. Qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews with university students and EMS professionals were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis approaches. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and predictive (independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance) statistical techniques. Findings EMS calls were highest in December and January. Most calls (92.4%) were made from dormitories and/or apartments, with 79.5% made by female students between 23:00 and 00:59. Among these calls, 48.2% resulted in hospitalization. Pain, general medical examination and psychiatric illness were the most common diagnoses. EMS professionals stated that most cases were not sufficiently urgent to require an ambulance. The EMS professionals and students commonly reported social factors (e.g. nervous breakdowns, attracting attention, attracting a boyfriend's attention, enabling late-hour dormitory departures and problems with lovers or meeting with lovers) as reasons for non-emergency ambulance use. Originality/value This study is the first to comprehensively review characterize the causes and rates of EMS use among college students residing on or near campus.