Research Group
Emergency Care and Comprehensive Security
The Emergency Care and Comprehensive Security research group advances research, innovation, and education in prehospital emergency care, acute care, preparedness, and cooperation with authorities. Our work focuses on strengthening the safety, and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and society in both everyday situations and crises.
Emergency care is a vital component of comprehensive security. Comprehensive security is a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach that aims to safeguard society’s essential functions under all circumstances. It emphasizes anticipation, prevention, preparedness, crisis response, and recovery, while recognizing the growing importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and threats.
Through applied research and development, we generate evidence-based solutions that support healthcare services, public authorities, organizations, and citizens in building safer and more resilient communities.
Our research and development areas
- Emergency care and acute care across diverse healthcare settings
- Preparedness, resilience, and health security
- Population first aid competence and health-related preparedness
- Comprehensive security
Our latest Peer-Reviewed Publications
Hänninen J, Peltonen L-M, Riihimäki H, Saari T & Paulin J (2026). Reducing workplace violence in emergency medical services: a Finnish Delphi study to develop prevention guidelines. International Journal of Emergency Medicine.https://rdcu.be/fjhCU
Paulin, J., Saari, T., Riihimäki, H., & Peltonen, L-M. Exploring care pathways of patients transported by emergency medical services (EMS) through electronic health records (2025). Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 2025;33:60.https://rdcu.be/eg7y5
Riihimäki H, Peltonen L-M., Lahti M & Paulin J. (2025) Exploring violence toward EMS personnel: a multiprofessional qualitative study. BMC Emergency Medicine.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01530-x
Paulin, J., Lahti, M., Riihimäki, H., Hänninen, J., Vesanen, T., Koivisto, M., & Peltonen, L-M. (2024). The rate and predictors of violence against EMS personnel: a retrospective study using ePCR narratives. BMC Emergency Medicine. 24:200.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-024-01116-5.
Other Publications
AidVerse – Safer Virtual Orientation and Skills Verification (2026). Jani Paulin, Joonas Hänninen, Jaana Koskela, Lasse Putko & Vesa Jyrkkänen. Pelastustieto.
Violence Encountered by Emergency Medical Personnel. Anticipation and Risk Management in a Changing Operational Environment. Final Report. Reports of Turku University of Applied Sciences 313, Turku University of Applied Sciences. 2026. Paulin, Jani; Peltonen, Laura-Maria; Riihimäki, Heikki; Hänninen, Joonas; Jyrkkänen, Vesa; & Lahti, Mari.https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-216-903-7
“Violence in Emergency Medical Care” Project: Few Experience It, but the Risk Is High (2026). Pelastustieto. Jani Paulin, Joonas Hänninen, Vesa Jyrkkänen, Heikki Riihimäki & Laura-Maria Peltonen. https://pelastustieto.fi/pelastustoiminta/ensihoito/vakivalta-ensihoidossa-hanke-harva-kokee-mutta-riski-on-suuri/
Violence Faced by Emergency Medical Technicians Sparks Discussion (2024). Pro Health. Paulin, Jani & Peltonen, Laura-Maria.
The training ambulance marked a new beginning—there is interest in continuing the pilot program (2024). Pelastustieto. Jani Paulin, Vesa Jyrkkänen.
The presence of police does not guarantee the safety of paramedics (2024). Pelastustieto. Jani Paulin.https://pelastustieto.fi/pelastustoiminta/ensihoito/poliisin-lasnaolo-ei-takaa-ensihoitajien-turvallisuutta/#adf881fa
Tools for Paramedics to Address Client Violence Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration (2024). “Health Through Science” blog. Jani Paulin, Heikki Riihimäki, and Laura-Maria Peltonen. https://blogit.utu.fi/terveyttatieteesta/2024/10/29/tyokaluja-ensihoitajien-kohtaamaan-asiakasvakivaltaan-monialaisella-yhteistyolla/
Related degree programmes
A Reliable Partner
We are involved in regional, national, and international networks focused on emergency care and comprehensive security.
We work closely and on an ongoing basis with a number of key organizations, including the following:
- Southwest Finland Rescue Department (Varha)
- Tyks Emergency Services
- The Finnish Defense Forces
- Maritime Rescue Coordination Center
- The Finnish Border Guard
- Police University College (Polamk)
- Finnish Red Cross
- Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK)
- The Finnish Lifeboat Institution
- University of Warwick, United Kingdom, and
- Keio University, Japan
Our Experts
The research group’s activities are currently coordinated by its deputy lead, Principal Lecturer and Degree Programme Leader Jani Paulin.
Strong project skills
Turku University of Applied Sciences’ Project Office offers support and guidance throughout the life cycle of an RDI project. Our project experts have years of experience and strong expertise in national and international funding programmes. We have more than 200 projects running every year, and our RDI activities have received more than €10 million in external funding.