Stress and burnout among Red Crescent paramedic ambulance workers in Riyadh

Abstract

Background: Ambulance services in Saudi Arabia are organised through the Red Crescent, the organisation that is responsible for ensuring adequate ambulance service for all communities in Riyadh. Paramedics are the first responders among the healthcare providers responsible for saving patients' live outside hospital settings. Work-related stress is a serious problem that affects the health and well-being of employees as well as the productivity of organisations. Stress has a huge impact on the performance and productivity of emergency health workers. Objective: To explored the factors associated with stress and identified the effects of stress and burnout on Red Crescent ambulance workers. Methods: This study explored the factors associated with stress and identified the effects of stress and burnout on Red Crescent ambulance workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among ambulance workers at Saudi Red Crescent centers across four regions of the Ar-Riyadh province of Saudi Arabia. Questions about sociodemographic information, working conditions, level of burnout, and job stress were included in the questionnaires. Results: Study sample responses regarding personal burnout level. The arithmetic mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and the responses (in %) to statements describing the personal burnout level are shown in Table 14. Conclusion: Stress level and work-related burnout was a leading cause of poor performance and resulted in the inability of employees to perform assigned tasks.