Paramedics Wellbeing Research Articles

Mental health difficulties in paramedics: A review of the literature

BackgroundParamedics are frequently exposed to traumatic events as part of their role. The implications of this constant exposure have suggested that paramedics are at high risk of developing long-term mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, burnout, trauma, PTSD, and suicide.PurposeTo synthesise studies to examine factors that play a role in the development of mental health difficulties in ambulance personnel. As well as, establishing gaps within the literature for further research.Data SourcesFrom the first 77 published journals reviewed from Psycinfo, PsychArticles, CINAHL, Education Research Complete, ERIC and grey literature, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review and were included in the present study.ResultsFindings of this review suggest that the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics are significant issues. In reviewing the research, it was found that several different factors may play a role in the development of mental health difficulties in ambulance personnel. Four main themes were determined, (1) occupational stressors, (2) negative attitude towards emotional expression, (3) peer and social support, and (4) preparing paramedics for mental health challenges.ConclusionsIt is paramount for further research to explore paramedic students’ mental health experiences, as well as a focus on research to investigate a UK paramedic population due to most of the literature focusing on an international population. Psychological support and early interventions should be made a priority for all ambulance workers, as a way of improving the quality of the working life of paramedics.

Psychological and Social Wellbeing of Paramedics in Riyadh City during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Introduction Our research sought to assess the psychological and social wellbeing of paramedics in Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia during the COVID 19 pandemic. It also aimed to assess the therapeutic assistance provided to pre-hospital care givers during the pandemic. Methods In this quantitative cross-sectional analysis an assessment of 106 paramedics was undertaken from data obtained from 28 September to 10 November 2020. The authenticity and durability of Pilot and the Cronbach have been added. Results Of the 106 paramedics surveyed, 60 (56.6%) were 30–39 years of age; 101 were male (95.3%). The mean average psychological wellbeing of the paramedics was 6.41 with the standard deviation of 2.42. Family and friends’ average social support score was 9.2 in norm 2.6 deviation. Conclusion Our study showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic paramedics suffered from social and psychological depression. Paramedics must be protected from the socioeconomic and psychological difficulties they face every day in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Designing solutions for the health and well-being of paramedics.

Designing solutions for the health and well-being of paramedics.

Wellbeing series: Meditation for paramedics

<span>In this wellbeing series we present practical advice for prehospital care providers, responders, and other shift workers. These articles are produced by experts in their field. Many of these topics were presented at the Irish College of Paramedics Wellbeing Symposium in University College Cork in May 2019.</span>

Wellbeing series: Empathy and paramedic wellbeing

<p>In this wellbeing series we present practical advice for prehospital care providers, responders, and other shift workers. These articles are produced by experts in their field. Many of these topics were presented at the Irish College of Paramedics Wellbeing Symposium in University College Cork in May 2019.</p><p> </p>

Wellbeing Series: Sleep practices for shift worker

In this wellbeing series we present practical advice for prehospital care providers, responders, and all shift workers. These articles are produced by experts in their field. Many of these topics were presented at the Irish College of Paramedics Wellbeing Symposium in University College Cork in May 2019.

Wellbeing Series: Shifting the Focus to Nutrition

In this wellbeing series we present practical advice for prehospital care providers, responders, and other shift workers. These articles are produced by experts in their field. Many of these topics were presented at the Irish College of Paramedics Wellbeing Symposium in University College Cork in May 2019.

Wellbeing Series: Compassion Fatigue.

In this wellbeing series we present practical advice for prehospital care providers, responders, and other shift workers. These articles are produced by experts in their field. Many of these topics were presented at the Irish College of Paramedics Wellbeing Symposium in University College Cork in May 2019.

Wellbeing Series: Building Mental Health Resilience for Emergency Personnel

In this wellbeing series we present practical advice for prehospital care providers, responders, and other shift workers. These articles are produced by experts in their field. Many of these topics were presented at the Irish College of Paramedics Wellbeing Symposium in University College Cork in May 2019

Wellbeing Series: The patient is ready for you…but are you ready for the patient? The health status of paramedics and its effect on job performance.

In this wellbeing series we present practical advice for prehospital care providers, responders, and other shift workers. These articles are produced by experts in their field. Many of these topics were presented at the Irish College of Paramedics Wellbeing Symposium in University College Cork in May 2019.

Lessons in Post-Disaster Self-Care From 9/11 Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians.

The objective of this study was to explore preferred self-care practices among paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack (9/11) in New York City (New York USA). Qualitative research methodology with convenience and subsequent snowball sampling was utilized. Participants were adult (at least 18 years of age) paramedics or EMTs who self-reported as responding to the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City. Preferred self-care practices; participant characteristics; indications and patterns of self-care use; perceived benefits and harms; and views on appropriate availability of support and self-care services were the main outcome measures. The 9/11 paramedic and EMT participants reported a delay in recognizing the need for self-care. Preferred physical self-care practices included exercise, good nutrition, getting enough sleep, and sticking to routine. Preferred psychosocial self-care practices included spending time with family and friends, participating in peer-support programs and online support forums, and routinely seeing a mental health professional. Self-care was important for younger paramedics and EMTs who reported having less-developed supportive infrastructure around them, as well as for retiring paramedics and EMTs who often felt left behind by a system they had dedicated their lives to. Access to cooking classes and subsidized gym memberships were viewed as favorable, as was the ability to include family members in self-care practices. A range of physical and psychosocial self-care practices should be encouraged among paramedic students and implemented by Australian ambulance services to ensure the health and well-being of paramedics throughout their career and into retirement.

Fit to practise: does more need to be done to improve the health and wellbeing of paramedics?

Paramedics are exposed to both physiological and psychological stressors that the general population does not typically face. Although there is evidence to show that paramedics can be resilient to these, cardiovascular disease, mental health problems and musculoskeletal injuries are still prevalent among paramedics. Exercise has been shown to reduce the physical demands of lifting for paramedics, but data on the effects in other areas of paramedic life are limited. In the general population, exercise is becoming a popular treatment option for mental health problems. However, the methodologies used are inconsistent and it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from the data available. A more thorough examination of how regular exercise could positively impact the health and well-being of paramedics, who are key, front-line personnel in the medical services, is an area that requires crucial further research.

Wpływ pracy na samopoczucie ratowników medycznych

1. Fedorczuk W, Pawlas K. Ryzyko zawodowe w pracy ratownika medycznego. Hygeia Public Health. 2011; 46(4): 437–441. Google Scholar

Paramedic Self-reported Exposure to Violence in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Workplace: A Mixed-methods Cross-sectional Survey

ABSTRACTIntroduction. Studies from Australia, Sweden, the United States, and elsewhere have found that paramedics experience violence in the emergency medical services (EMS) workplace. The objective of this study was to describe and explore violence experienced by paramedics in the ground ambulance setting, including types of violence experienced, by whom the violence was perpetrated, actions taken by paramedics, and effects of these episodes. Method. A cross-sectional study utilizing a mixed-methods paper survey was provided to a convenience sample of rural, suburban, and urban-based ground ambulance paramedics in two Canadian provinces. Paramedics were asked to describe episodes of verbal assault, intimidation, physical assault, sexual harassment, and sexual assault they were exposed to during the past 12 months. Qualitative questions inquired about the impact of these experiences. Response selections were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, and qualitative data was analyzed using descriptive content analysis. Results. A total of 1,884 paramedics were invited to participate and 1,676 responded (89.0%). Most participants (75%) reported experiencing violence in the past 12 months. The most common form of violence reported was verbal assault (67%), followed by intimidation (41%), physical assault (26%), sexual harassment (14%), and sexual assault (3%). Patients were identified as the most common perpetrators of violence. Serious sequellae were qualitatively reported. Conclusion. The majority of Canadian paramedics surveyed experience violence in the workplace, which can lead to serious personal and professional sequellae. Strategies should be devised and studied to reduce violent events toward paramedics and to mitigate the impact such events have on the wellbeing of paramedics.