TY - JOUR
T1 - An exploration of violence against paramedics, burnout and post-traumatic symptoms in two Australian ambulance services
AU - Wongtongkam, Nualnong
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 -
Purpose
Violence directed at ambulance paramedics has
attracted increasing public attention because of its major negative
impact on the physical and psychological well-being of victims and
productivity of organisations. The purpose of this paper is to explore
the prevalence of violent incidents, contributing factors, burnout and
post-traumatic symptoms among paramedics.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was distributed in
two ambulance services in Tasmania and South Australia, with
self-administered instruments completed online. In total, 48 respondents
completed questionnaires.
Findings
There were no significant differences between
sites in timing of violent incidents, consequences of traumatic events
or organisation provision. Surprisingly, over 90 per cent of paramedics
had not been pushed, slapped, beaten, scratched or spat on in the
previous month. There was a statistically significant difference between
genders for being yelled at or verbally abused (p=0.02). When considering burnout, female paramedics showed significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion t(37)=–2.32, p=0.02 and lower levels of career satisfaction than their male counterparts, t(37)=3.32, p=0.00.
Originality/value
Although prevalence rates of violent
incidents seemed lower than expected, policy interventions to encourage
female paramedics to display their professional identities and steps to
enhance well-being and safety while on duty should be considered.
AB -
Purpose
Violence directed at ambulance paramedics has
attracted increasing public attention because of its major negative
impact on the physical and psychological well-being of victims and
productivity of organisations. The purpose of this paper is to explore
the prevalence of violent incidents, contributing factors, burnout and
post-traumatic symptoms among paramedics.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was distributed in
two ambulance services in Tasmania and South Australia, with
self-administered instruments completed online. In total, 48 respondents
completed questionnaires.
Findings
There were no significant differences between
sites in timing of violent incidents, consequences of traumatic events
or organisation provision. Surprisingly, over 90 per cent of paramedics
had not been pushed, slapped, beaten, scratched or spat on in the
previous month. There was a statistically significant difference between
genders for being yelled at or verbally abused (p=0.02). When considering burnout, female paramedics showed significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion t(37)=–2.32, p=0.02 and lower levels of career satisfaction than their male counterparts, t(37)=3.32, p=0.00.
Originality/value
Although prevalence rates of violent
incidents seemed lower than expected, policy interventions to encourage
female paramedics to display their professional identities and steps to
enhance well-being and safety while on duty should be considered.
KW - Australia
KW - Burnout
KW - Paramedics
KW - Post-traumatic symptoms
KW - Violence
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U2 - 10.1108/IJES-03-2017-0014
DO - 10.1108/IJES-03-2017-0014
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85022335951
SN - 2047-0894
VL - 6
SP - 134
EP - 146
JO - International Journal of Emergency Services
JF - International Journal of Emergency Services
IS - 2
ER -