Abstract
Introduction: Paramedics provide urgent and essential health care to patients in a variety of complex settings that may be stressful and potentially traumatic. Occupational stress can acutely impair clinical performance, can contribute to long term health detriments for the worker, and may contribute to attrition within a profession.
Objective: This study sought to identify the common causes of occupational stress and their related coping strategies as reported among Australian and New Zealand paramedics within peer reviewed literature. Evidence relating to the effectiveness of coping strategies was also examined.
Methods and Results: A mixed methods systematic review protocol identified and analysed twenty peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and 2020 which related to occupational stress and coping strategies among Australian and New Zealand paramedics. While exposure to traumatic incidents is often imagined to be a significant source of stress, surprisingly there was a major effect of common organisational factors as stressors. The reported coping techniques ranged from a paramedic’s use of personal strategies (such as humour, emotional detachment, and supportive relationships), and extend through to formal activities (including debriefing, psychological counselling and employer-sponsored wellbeing initiatives). There was a notable lack of evidence of either personal or organisational coping strategies demonstrating effectiveness in mitigating the effects of stress.
Conclusions: This review represents an initial step in understanding the causes of, and coping strategies for, occupational stress among Australian and New Zealand paramedics. The study identifies common organisational factors that do not appear to be unique to the paramedic profession as stressors. It was found that coping strategies may be categorised within a matrix spanning informal-to-formal, personal-to-organisational, and dysfunctional-to-adaptive traits. Evaluating the effectiveness of coping strategies/interventions is necessary to ensure that changes to services and support produce desired outcomes in reducing harmful effects and enhancing the sustainability of this profession.
Objective: This study sought to identify the common causes of occupational stress and their related coping strategies as reported among Australian and New Zealand paramedics within peer reviewed literature. Evidence relating to the effectiveness of coping strategies was also examined.
Methods and Results: A mixed methods systematic review protocol identified and analysed twenty peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and 2020 which related to occupational stress and coping strategies among Australian and New Zealand paramedics. While exposure to traumatic incidents is often imagined to be a significant source of stress, surprisingly there was a major effect of common organisational factors as stressors. The reported coping techniques ranged from a paramedic’s use of personal strategies (such as humour, emotional detachment, and supportive relationships), and extend through to formal activities (including debriefing, psychological counselling and employer-sponsored wellbeing initiatives). There was a notable lack of evidence of either personal or organisational coping strategies demonstrating effectiveness in mitigating the effects of stress.
Conclusions: This review represents an initial step in understanding the causes of, and coping strategies for, occupational stress among Australian and New Zealand paramedics. The study identifies common organisational factors that do not appear to be unique to the paramedic profession as stressors. It was found that coping strategies may be categorised within a matrix spanning informal-to-formal, personal-to-organisational, and dysfunctional-to-adaptive traits. Evaluating the effectiveness of coping strategies/interventions is necessary to ensure that changes to services and support produce desired outcomes in reducing harmful effects and enhancing the sustainability of this profession.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 14 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
| Event | The Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Hunter Region Satellite Scientific Meeting 2023 - Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia Duration: 05 Jun 2023 → 05 Jun 2023 https://asmr.org.au/ https://asmr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/V3_2023_Hunter_Region_ASMR_flyer.pdf (Event flyer) |
Conference
| Conference | The Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Hunter Region Satellite Scientific Meeting 2023 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Newcastle |
| Period | 05/06/23 → 05/06/23 |
| Other | Program and abstract book attached to PID 408152668 The ASMR is the peak professional society representing Australian health and medical research and researchers. It has a long established role in public, political and scientific advocacy. The ASMR Hunter Region annual scientific meeting, held at HMRI showcases recent research achievements from the Hunter Research community. This meeting is a wonderful opportunity to develop professional networks, as well as the chance to win various prizes and awards for ASMR members. |
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