Perspective of emergency medical services (EMS) professionals on changes in resources, cardiac arrest care and burnout in Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic

Chavez, Summer; Crowe, Remle P.; Huebinger, Ryan M.; Chan, Hei Kit; Gill, Joseph; Villa, Normandy; Pancyzk, Micah; Jarvis, Jeff; Bobrow, Bentley J.

doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2022.08.028

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…A study published among EMS professionals in Texas, U.S. reported changes in prehospital practice during COVID-19, resource shortages that influenced patient care, and a high rate of occupational burnout [ 6 ]. Another study on frontline healthcare workers reported stress and burnout during COVID-19 and suggested psychological resources such as resilience and adaptive defense mechanisms are essential in protecting individuals from severe stress and burnout [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Work Stress and Occupational Stressors in Emergency Medical Services

Bardhan

Byrd

2023

Healthcare

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Emergency medical service (EMS) professionals often experience work stress, which escalated during COVID-19. High job demand in the EMS profession may lead to progressive decline in physical and mental health. We investigated the prevalence of psychosocial job stress in the three levels of EMS: basic, advanced, and paramedic, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. EMS professionals (n = 36) were recruited from EMS agencies following the Institutional Review Board approval. Participants took surveys on demographics, personal characteristics, chronic diseases, and work schedules. Job stress indicators, namely the effort–reward ratio (ERR) and overcommitment (OC), were evaluated from survey questionnaires using the effort–reward imbalance model. Associations of job stress indicators with age, sex, body mass index, and working conditions were measured by logistic regression. Psychosocial work stress was prevalent with effort reward ratio > 1 in 83% of participants and overcommitment scores > 13 in 89% of participants. Age, body mass index, and work hours showed strong associations with ERR and OC scores. The investigation findings suggested that a psychosocial work environment is prevalent among EMS, as revealed by high ERR, OC, and their correlation with sleep apnea in rotating shift employees. Appropriate interventions may be helpful in reducing psychosocial work stress in EMS professionals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%