Advanced-level paramedics’ support needs for developing and utilising competence

Tanninen, Antti; Kouvonen, Anne; Nordquist, Hilla

doi:10.1016/j.ienj.2022.101233

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In Finland it has recently been argued at the national level that the current training of emergency care nurses is not fully in line with the requirements of the field [ 24 ], which means that many things need to be learned at work. Paramedics themselves underline high quality target setting and clearly determined tasks, goals, and objectives as prerequisites for adequately running EMS [ 31 ]. Earlier studies have found that paramedics can feel that their competence has not been fully utilized due to the poor functionality of EMS [ 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role identities of emergency medical services personnel and their associations with intention to leave the profession

Suokonautio,

Kouvonen,

Nordquist

2024

BMC Emerg Med

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Background The scope of emergency medical services (EMS) has expanded from the urgent care of emergency patients to on-call healthcare services provided in the field with a holistic view of the patient’s wellbeing. This challenges EMS to find solutions to cover all demands, while simultaneously setting high skill requirements for EMS personnel. Understanding personnel is a critical element in developing functional and resistant EMS. The aim of this study was to investigate how Finnish EMS personnel emphasize the Emergency Medical Services Role Identity Scale aspects of caregiving, thrill-seeking, duty, and capacity; and if these role identities are associated with intention to leave the profession. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey (N = 616, 52% women, mean age 32.9 years). Data were collected through social media platforms and analyzed with means, standard deviations, Mann-Whitney U-tests, Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, and binary logistic regression analyses. Results Our results indicate that capacity is the most emphasized aspect among EMS personnel, and at the same time, it increases intention to leave EMS. Capacity was followed by caregiving, with no association with intention to leave. Duty and thrill-seeking were the least emphasized and were negatively associated with intention to leave. Additionally, there were also other factors that were associated with emphasizing EMS-RIS aspect and intention to leave. Conclusion Capacity stands out most strongly in analysis being at the core of the role identity of EMS personnel and was associated with a higher likelihood of leaving intentions. Several other factors were also associated with the intention to leave. Future studies should examine the exact dimensions of capacity that are considered important among EMS personnel and why factors such as work experience are associated with intentions to leave.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role identities of emergency medical services personnel and their associations with intention to leave the profession

Suokonautio,

Kouvonen,

Nordquist

2024

BMC Emerg Med

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“…The work of paramedics inherently requires maintaining and utilization of various competencies in constantly changing working conditions, 47 - 49 and those with less work experience may feel pressure in mastering all the required content. 41 , 50 In addition to this, the job involves a continuous time pressure, and the work pace has also intensified.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Paramedic Graduates’ Chronic Stress Adds Intentions to Leave the Profession: A Pilot Study Utilizing a Web-Based Survey

Herttuainen,

Nordquist

2023

INQUIRY

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Paramedics have mentally and physically demanding jobs, and chronic stress is not uncommon. Recently graduated paramedics, in particular, have been identified as needing support in their early careers. This pilot study examined chronic stress experienced by recent graduate paramedics and their intentions to leave the paramedic profession. Finnish paramedics encompass qualifications to work in various nursing sectors. This pilot study was a cross-sectional survey study among Finnish paramedics who graduated less than 3 years ago and who were currently working in prehospital EMS (n = 152). They evaluated chronic organizational and operational stressors on the Emergency Medical Services Chronic Stress Questionnaire with 20 statements. Two structured questions related to the intention to leave the paramedic profession. Three summary scales were formed. The differences in stress by the intention to leave were reported descriptively and the differences were tested with Mann-Whitney U test. The influence of potential predictors of the intention to leave prehospital EMS work or the nursing sector completely were explored with a forward stepwise logistic regression model. Those who intended to leave prehospital EMS work (25%, n = 35/152) or to leave the nursing sector completely (33%, n = 50/152) experienced higher levels of stress than those without such intentions. Stress related to organizational inequity and leadership challenges was the strongest and stress related to social, health, and personal impacts was the second strongest predictor of the intention to leave. Reducing chronic stress might be important in terms of paramedic retention. Several further study needs are addressed.

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“…The essays were written as part of a course entitled "Current Issues in EMS Management". A similar methodology has been utilized previously with other topics, yielding excellent reflective material [14,15].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning Lessons for Future Preparedness: Exploring Work Well-Being-Related Leadership Challenges among Paramedics during the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study

Pelli,

Nordquist

2023

Nursing Reports

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The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic majorly impacted the population and public services. In Finland, a state of emergency was declared to ensure the security of healthcare resources, and prehospital emergency medical service (EMS) organizations faced emergency conditions for the first time. This study explores the leadership challenges related to well-being experienced during the early phase of the pandemic. This qualitative study utilized reflective essay material written between August and November 2020 by experienced advanced-level paramedics (n = 30) who participated actively in EMS fieldwork at the beginning of the pandemic. The material (32,621 words) was analyzed with inductive content analysis. The work well-being-related leadership challenges experienced by paramedics during the early phase of the pandemic were divided into four upper categories: inadequate guidance, workplace reorganization, atmosphere mismanagement, and insufficient resources to cope. These upper categories were comprised of 17 subcategories. Several actions can be taken to enhance personnel well-being and prepare for similar challenges. Guidance and support should be clear and timely. Visible leadership should be emphasized and enhanced with modern communication. Efforts should be made to strengthen the work atmosphere to support those on the front lines of healthcare. This study was not registered on a publicly accessible registry.

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Advanced-level paramedics’ support needs for developing and utilising competence

Cited by 7 publications

References 26 publications

Role identities of emergency medical services personnel and their associations with intention to leave the profession

Role identities of emergency medical services personnel and their associations with intention to leave the profession

Recent Paramedic Graduates’ Chronic Stress Adds Intentions to Leave the Profession: A Pilot Study Utilizing a Web-Based Survey

Learning Lessons for Future Preparedness: Exploring Work Well-Being-Related Leadership Challenges among Paramedics during the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study

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