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Three Part Question

Can [paramedics] accurately [identify abnormal heart sounds] in [adult patients]?

Clinical Scenario

You are a paramedic assessing a patient with difficulty in breathing. On auscultation you think you hear a third heart sound. You wonder how accurate paramedics are at identifying abnormal heart sounds.

Search Strategy

Ovid MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations May 26, 2015 & Database Field Guide Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1946 to May Week 3 2015 & Database Field Guide Ovid OLDMEDLINE(R) 1946 to 1965.
(paramedic.mp. OR exp Allied Health Personnel/ OR exp Emergency Medical Services/ OR prehospital.mp. OR pre-hospital.mp.) AND (cardiac auscultation.mp. OR exp Heart Auscultation/)

Search Outcome

This strategy N=20.
Removal of non-english n=19.
After review of abstracts for relevance n=10.