Investigating first‐year graduate paramedics’ reason for current work location: A cross‐sectional, data linkage study

Ivec, Nicola; Beauchamp, Alison; Sutton, Keith; Mitchell, Eleanor Kl; O’Meara, Peter; Bowles, Kelly; Williams, Brett

doi:10.1111/ajr.12786

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The low internal consistency for these measures may indicate poor inter-relatedness between questionnaire items in the current sample, and for the AUDIT-C, this low reliability could also be due to the small number of items (i.e., 3) included in this measure [ 93 ]. Furthermore, although this sample of paramedics were similar in age and sex to other groups of recruit paramedics in Australia [ 8 , 20 , 25 , 94 ], we were unable to compare these characteristics to those who did not express interest in the study, thus we cannot completely rule out the possibility of selection bias in our sample. Additionally, although data confidentiality arrangements were thoroughly explained to participants, it is possible some paramedics may have had concerns about how the data might impact their employment, and therefore downplayed their symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep and mental health in recruit paramedics: a 6-month longitudinal study

Nguyen

Meadley

Harris

et al. 2023

Sleep

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Study Objectives To explore potential relationships and longitudinal changes in sleep and mental health in recruit paramedics over the first 6-months of work, and whether sleep disturbances pre-emergency work predict future mental health outcomes. Methods Participants (N=101, 52% female, Mage=26 years) completed questionnaires prior to (baseline), and after 6 months of emergency work to assess for symptoms of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and trauma exposure. At each timepoint, participants also completed a sleep diary and wore an actigraph for 14 days to assess sleep patterns. Correlations between baseline sleep and mental health were conducted and changes in these variables across timepoints were examined using linear mixed models. Hierarchical regressions assessed whether sleep at baseline predicted mental health at follow-up. Results Insomnia and depression symptoms, and total sleep time increased while sleep onset latency decreased across the first 6 months of emergency work. Participants experienced an average of 1 potentially traumatic event during the 6-month period. Baseline insomnia predicted increased depression symptoms at the 6-month follow-up, while baseline wake after sleep onset predicted follow-up PTSD symptoms. Conclusion Results highlight an increase in insomnia and depression across the initial months of emergency work, while sleep disturbances before emergency work were identified as potential risk factors for the development of depression and PTSD among paramedics in their early career. Screening and early interventions targeting poor sleep at the beginning of emergency employment may assist in reducing the risk of future mental health outcomes in this high-risk occupation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep and mental health in recruit paramedics: a 6-month longitudinal study

Nguyen

Meadley

Harris

et al. 2023

Sleep

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…Efforts such as these will build an evidence base over time as to whether government policies to address workforce maldistribution are having the desired effect. Ivec et al, 15 in a data linkage study, described the employment and demographic characteristics of first‐year paramedic graduates to examine the factors which predicted the reasons for their first graduate location. They found that rural origin students had an increased likelihood of working in a rural location after graduating.…”

Section: The Grand Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%