Abstract
(1) Background: Shortage of skilled workers is a relevant global health care problem. To remain competitive with other professions, job satisfaction is a critical issue; however, to date, there are no data available on the German EMS. This study aims to perform a statistical analysis of job satisfaction and performance orientation and to identify risk factors for low job satisfaction of paramedics in the German EMS. (2) Methods: Data were collected from 2590 paramedics through a nationwide cross-sectional survey, using the job satisfaction questionnaire by Neuberger and Allerbeck and the performance orientation questionnaire by Hippler and Krüger. Descriptive and regression statistical analysis were performed. (3) Results: The participants scored significantly lower than the reference sample on job satisfaction, with “organization and management” and “payment” being the lowest rated subscales. Around 9% of employees feared losing their jobs. While work attitude toward performance and success enhancement was high, fear of failure was also common. (4) Conclusions: Job satisfaction of paramedics in the German EMS is below that of the reference sample. Discontent with payment and organizational issues is common. Performance orientation is high, but fear of failure is frequent. Current and future efforts that aim at an attractive working environment should reflect on these findings.
Highlights
Rising numbers of emergency medical service (EMS) missions and a developing shortage of skilled health care workers are global issues [1]
This study aims to perform a statistical analysis of job satisfaction and performance orientation and to identify risk factors for low job satisfaction of paramedics in the German EMS
The study was widely advertised through information letters, posters, and flyers that were sent to all German EMS stations and paramedic academies
Summary
Rising numbers of emergency medical service (EMS) missions and a developing shortage of skilled health care workers are global issues [1]. The necessity of emergency medical workers and their contribution to the medical services has been illuminated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The public became more interested in the working conditions of paramedics and nurses, as they were battling the virus pandemic at the very forefront. The alarming shortage of these health care workers has displayed one of the weak points of health care systems around the world. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of emergency and non-emergency missions together increased by nearly 50% between 1994 and 2013 in the German EMS [2]. The number of EMS employees increased by nearly 48% from 2012 to 2018 [3]
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