The role of lifestyle on NHS ambulance workers’ wellbeing

Hutchinson, Lucy Catherine; Forshaw, Mark; McIlroy, David; Poole, Helen

doi:10.1080/15555240.2021.1922286

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(51 reference statements)

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“… 17 , 18 A study among paramedics found that sleep and physical activity explained a significant level of variance in trauma response (35%), indicating likely protective effects of such behaviours and the role of lifestyle interventions as a potentially feasible first-line mental health strategy. 19 , 20 Another study found that exercise participation and high cardiorespiratory fitness can help police officers to better cope with chronic stress and subsequently take less sick leave. 21 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial

et al. 2023

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Objective Emergency service workers are at risk of experiencing poor mental health due to repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events. Promoting healthy lifestyle factors may help improve health outcomes and quality of life among this population. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a 10-week physical activity (PA) and diet programme delivered via Facebook for sedentary emergency service workers and their support partners on levels of psychological distress. Methods We delivered a 10-week intervention via a private Facebook group facilitated by exercise physiologists, a dietitian and peer-facilitators. Weekly education modules and telehealth calls were delivered, and participants were provided with a PA tracking device (Fitbit accelerometer). A stepped-wedge design was applied to compare levels of psychological distress (K6) during baseline, to intervention by comparing slopes of change. Secondary pre–post outcomes included mental health symptoms, PA, quality of life, social support to exercise, sleep quality and suicidal ideation. Results In total, N=90 participants ( n=47 emergency service workers and n=43 support partners) were recruited in 4 cohorts (aged 42.3±11.5 years, 51% male). Levels of psychological distress did not change significantly during the baseline (control) slope and reduced significantly during the first 6 weeks of intervention (intervention slope 1). The slopes were significantly different, b=−0.351, p = 0.003 (i.e. the trajectories of change) and improvements plateaued until follow up. Retention was high (92%) and improvements in mental health symptoms, minutes of PA, sedentary time and quality of life were significant. Conclusions Our intervention delivered via social media is feasible and associated with reduced levels of psychological distress among emergency service workers and support partners. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN): 12619000877189.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial

et al. 2023

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“…Physical activity and its structured subset, exercise, can improve mood and reduce psychiatric symptoms among people with diagnosed mental disorders as well as subclinical populations experiencing mental health symptoms (16, 17). A study among paramedics found that sleep and physical activity explained a significant level of variance in trauma response (35%), indicating likely protective effects of such behaviours and the role of lifestyle interventions as a potentially feasible first-line mental health strategy (18, 19). Emergency service workers require tailored interventions to help overcome some of the adverse health consequences of their work and targeting lifestyle behaviours may be a less stigmatising and culturally acceptable strategy compared to traditional mental healthcare (20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial

McKeon

Wells

Steel

et al. 2022

Preprint

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ObjectiveEmergency service workers are at risk of experiencing poor mental health due to repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events. Promoting physical activity and diet may help to mitigate some the consequences of emergency work and so this study aimed to evaluate the impact a lifestyle intervention on levels of psychological distress among emergency service workers and their support partners.MethodsWe delivered a 10-week physical activity intervention via a private Facebook group facilitated by exercise physiologists, a dietitian and peer-facilitators. Weekly education modules and telehealth calls were delivered, and participants were provided with a physical activity tracking device. A stepped-wedge design was applied to compare levels of psychological distress (Kessler-6) during baseline, to intervention by comparing slopes of change. Secondary pre-post outcomes included mental health symptoms, physical activity, quality of life, social support to exercise, sleep quality and suicidal ideation.ResultsN=90 participants (n=47 emergency service workers and n=43 support partners) were recruited in 4 separate cohorts (mean age 42.3(SD=11.5) years, 51% male). Levels of psychological distress did not change significantly during the baseline (control) slope and reduced significantly during the first 6 weeks of intervention (intervention slope 1). The interaction between slopes were significant, b=-0.351, p = 0.003, (i.e., the trajectories of change were significantly different) and improvements plateaued until the 4-week follow-up. Retention was high (92%) and improvements in mental health symptoms, minutes of physical activity, sedentary time and quality of life were observed.ConclusionsA physical activity intervention delivered via social media is effective in improving psychological distress among emergency service workers and support partners.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN): 12619000877189.

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Associations between employees’ alcohol consumption, insomnia and HR management strength

Dao-Tran,

Townsend,

Loudoun

et al. 2024

Occupational Medicine

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Background Understanding of hazardous alcohol drinking and insomnia among Australian ambulance personnel is limited. Australian ambulance organizations have strengthened their organizational human resource management (HRM) to promote their employees’ healthy lifestyles, health and well-being. Aims To describe the prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption and insomnia among Australian ambulance personnel and to explore their associations with the organizational HRM strength. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 492 ambulance personnel randomly selected from three Australian states. The Alcohol Use Disorders tool, The Insomnia Severity Index and the Perceived HRM System Strength instrument measured alcohol consumption, insomnia and HRM strength. Descriptive analyses, bivariate association analyses and general linear models were used for data analysis. Results Twenty per cent of Australian ambulance personnel consumed alcohol at a hazardous level and 68% experienced clinically significant insomnia. There was no significant association between organizational HRM strength and ambulance personnel’s hazardous alcohol consumption. There was a significant association between organizational HRM strength (consensus) and ambulance personnel’s insomnia experience. Conclusions Hazardous alcohol consumption and insomnia were concerns among Australian ambulance personnel. Even though strengthening the HRM system might reduce their experience of insomnia, simply strengthening the HRM system could not reduce their hazardous alcohol consumption.

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The role of lifestyle on NHS ambulance workers’ wellbeing

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial

An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial

An online mental health informed physical activity intervention for emergency service workers and their families: A stepped-wedge trial

Associations between employees’ alcohol consumption, insomnia and HR management strength

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