Major contributing factors of self perceived health in Hungarian ambulance personnel

Betlehem, József; Horváth, Attila; Göndöcs, Zsigmond; Jeges, Sára; Boncz, I; Oláh, A.

doi:10.1556/oh.2010.28976

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Several studies show a high prevalence of obesity among firefighters, but few have addressed this issue among paramedics 28 31 32. A recent study reported high BMI values in firefighter and paramedic recruits (mean of 28.5 kg/m 2 ), and a high percentage of workers were considered overweight (77% with a BMI >25 kg/m 2 ), or obese (33% with a BMI >30 kg/m 2 ) 32.…”

Section: Consequences Of Stress For Paramedicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current state of knowledge of post-traumatic stress, sleeping problems, obesity and cardiovascular disease in paramedics

et al. 2013

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Section: Consequences Of Stress For Paramedicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current state of knowledge of post-traumatic stress, sleeping problems, obesity and cardiovascular disease in paramedics

et al. 2013

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“…The lack of disparity in scores in gender and posting has been reported in one other study of paramedics using the SF-36 where they found no difference by emergency unit. (42) It could indicate that the work of a paramedic influences the respondent regardless of these variables. The importance of monitoring the health status of paramedics is illustrated when examining their scores compared to the general population.…”

Section: Sf-36mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fit for duty: The health status of New South Wales Paramedics

MacQuarrie

Robertson²,

Micalos³

et al. 2018

Irish J Para

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IntroductionParamedics are health care workers who respond to medical emergencies. Paramedics exhibit high rates of injury and illness with markers of poor health. The aims of this study were to explore the self-reported health status of paramedics in New South Wales, Australia, and to compare it with that of the Australian general population and to examine paramedics' attitudes towards exercise. MethodsIn 2015, paramedics employed by NSW Ambulance were invited to complete a web-based survey composed of the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36), measures of attitudes towards exercise and demographic information. Normative comparator data for the Australian general population (BMI and SF-36 scores) were sourced from the Household Income Labour Dynamics in Australia 2015 survey. ResultsOf the approximately 3,300 paramedics invited to participate, 747 completed the survey (507 male, 240 female). Mean age and mean years of service were 41.5 ± 9.5 (SD) and 13.6 ± 9.0 respectively. Male paramedics scored higher than females (p<0.001) in the Vitality domain of the SF-36, and regional paramedics had a higher General Health domain score than metropolitan paramedics (p<0.05). Regional male paramedics had higher BMIs than their metropolitan counterparts (28.04 kg/m2 ± 3.99 vs. 26.81 kg/m2 ± 4.67, p = 0.001). Compared to the Australian population, paramedics scored higher in the Physical Function domain (p<0.001) but lower in summary scores for mental and physical health (p<0.001). Paramedics' BMIs were slightly higher than the general population (27.10 ± 4.30 kg/m2 vs. 26.47 ±5.42, p<0.001). Paramedics reported lack of time, family commitments, and lack of motivation and in regional postings: distance to fitness facilities and shift patterns as barriers to exercise. ConclusionsParamedics scored lower on the SF-36 than the general population, which can indicate a lower health-related quality of life. High BMI and low SF-36 scores may be related to a perceived inability to engage in regular exercise. Increasing BMI can be associated with the development of markers of poor health. Attention is needed to ensure that paramedics are "fit for duty". Ambulance management should foster innovative health promotion programs and paramedics need to recognise and value good health.

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“…In the case of healthcare workers and on-site paramedics, in particular, it is a wellknown fact that they are under pronounced physical and mental burden resulting in negative emotional and physiological consequences (Betlehem et al 2010;Pék et al 2011;Szabó et al 2008;Szobota & Balogh 2019). This process first leads to compensation, and as time goes on and exertion continues, compensation mechanisms become inadequate, and, as a result, physical and psychological symptoms appear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examination of Coping Strategies among On-Site Paramedics

Moskola

Sándor

Susánszky

et al. 2021

EJMH

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The occurrence of physical and psychological symptoms that negatively influence everyday activities, efficient job performance, and professional patient treatment are common among paramedic workers. Aim: We uncovered the characteristic coping strategies applied by on-site paramedics and searched for correlations between these strategies and demographic, socio-economic characteristics, as well as factors related to work, workplace, and health behaviours. Sample and methodology: The survey was conducted between March 1, 2018, and February 28, 2019, among employees of the DG National Ambulance Service and participants of the Chamber of Hungarian Health Care Professionals. We used an abbreviated version of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire that contains 22 items (WOC-22). Descriptive statistics, independent samples T-tests, correlation calculations, analysis of variance with the Games-Howell post-hoc test were also carried out. Results: Tension reduction was a more common coping strategy among female and/or single paramedics as well as also being characteristic of people who work as paramedic officers. Problem-oriented coping stood out as a characteristic of people who have a higher level of education and/or are more satisfied with their financial situation. Risk-seeking appears dominantly among those who are not religious and/or have a lower level of education. Conclusions: Although paramedics are basically characterized by problem-oriented coping strategies, they quite often apply non-adaptive strategies as well; consequently, the chance of developing anxiety remains higher for them. Our aim is to use effective intervention methods for curbing the development of anxiety conditions among the ambulance personnel that have long-lasting negative effects on health care. To achieve this goal, we recommend including a questionnaire about coping strategies into the admission process of would-be paramedics; also, completing such questionnaires among the whole emergency workforce.

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Major contributing factors of self perceived health in Hungarian ambulance personnel

Abstract: Physical activity may enhance self perceived health even though if the person delivers physical symptoms. Regular training to increase the physical fitness should be implemented for ambulance personnel that could well contribute to copying with psychological trauma.

Cited by 8 publications

References 16 publications

Current state of knowledge of post-traumatic stress, sleeping problems, obesity and cardiovascular disease in paramedics

Current state of knowledge of post-traumatic stress, sleeping problems, obesity and cardiovascular disease in paramedics

Fit for duty: The health status of New South Wales Paramedics

Examination of Coping Strategies among On-Site Paramedics

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