As an emergency care provider, you will occasionally find patients who refuse transport.  A Utah study showed that 5.1% of patients refused transportation against direct medical advice of EMS. A common reason to refuse transport is concerns about cost. Many patients also may feel that their injury is not severe enough to warrant an ambulance ride.

The majority of patient transport is conducted via ground transport, typically in an ambulance. This patient transport is conducted with either basic paramedic protocols or with more advanced life support protocols and medical staff, such as those used in interfacility transport and specialty care.