Abstract
The evolving role of paramedics presents a unique opportunity to enhance care for people who use drugs, a population disproportionately affected by systemic barriers and inequities. With today’s healthcare systems often fragmented and difficult to navigate, paramedics are well-positioned to bridge gaps in the care continuum through enhanced system integration and models of care, such as social prescribing and harm reduction initiatives. This theory-driven commentary explores how Network Theory and Actor Network Theory provide valuable theoretical underpinnings to conceptualize and strengthen the integration of paramedics into care networks. By emphasizing the centrality of paramedics and their connections with both human and non-human actors, these theories illuminate the relational dynamics that influence effective care delivery. We argue that leveraging paramedics’ positionality can address gaps in system navigation, improve patient outcomes, and inform policy reforms. Future directions include exploring the centrality of other actors, enhancing paramedic advocacy, and addressing systemic barriers to integrated care for people who use drugs