Sources of Stress Among Emergency Medical Technicians (Part I): What Does the Research Say?

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Boudreaux ◽  
Cris Mandry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Emergency Medical Technicians ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Impaired Performance ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Conducting Research

AbstractResearch repeatedly has demonstrated that organisms exhibit adaptive physiological, emotional, and behavioral responses when exposed to noxious or threatening environmental stimuli. However, when the noxious stimuli are excessive or prolonged, efforts to cope may become overwhelmed, and the adaptive responses can turn into maladaptive reactions (e.g., illness, depression, and impaired performance). According to this model of stress, people who work in occupations that continually place them in danger or repeatedly force them to encounter psychologically demanding or distressing situations would appear to be at greater risk for developing adverse stress reactions.Both anecdotal evidence and empirical research suggest that prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) may be a particularly high-stress field, placing emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at risk for developing such maladaptive stress reactions. This article reviews and synthesizes the empirical literature investigating the sources of stress among EMTs, and concludes with critical comments and guidelines for future research. The authors intend this review to be a resource for investigators conducting research in this area, as well as a convenient summary for anyone interested in learning more about the stressors EMTs experience, particularly mental health professionals and EMS administrators coordinating stress-management programs for EMTs.

The Effects of Stressors on Emergency Medical Technicians (Part II): A Critical Review of the Literature, and a Call for Further Research

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Boudreaux ◽  
Cris Mandry
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Job Dissatisfaction ◽  
Emergency Medical Technicians ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Stress Equation ◽  
Scholarly Journals ◽  
Emergency Medical

AbstractPart I of this series of articles about stress among emergency medical technicians (EMTs) reviewed the potential sources of EMT stress. This article investigates the other side of the stress equation and provides a critical review of the empirical literature on the effects of stressors on EMTs. It is subdivided into sections corresponding to trends in the research, including: 1) predictors of higher stress levels; 2) differences in stress responses among EMTs, other health professionals, and firefighters; and 3) various physiologic, psychologic, and job performance responses. It identifies some of the methodologic flaws found in the EMT-stress literature that are noted in Part I, and provides further direction for future research. To maintain homogeneity, this review is limited to those articles published in scholarly journals. Studies investigating constructs such as job dissatisfaction and burnout were not included unless the study also included a measure of stress or stressors.

Differences in Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Emergency Medical Technicians Compared to Paramedics: A Cross-Sectional Study of Emergency Medical Services Professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (03) ◽  
pp. 288-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Cash ◽  
Remle P. Crowe ◽  
Julie K. Bower ◽  
Randi E. Foraker ◽  
Ashish R. Panchal
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Emergency Medical Technicians ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Employment Characteristics

AbstractBackground:Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals face high physical demands in high-stress settings; however, the prevalence of cardiovascular health (CVH) risk factors in this health care workforce has not been explored. The primary objective of this study was to compare the distribution of CVH and its individual components between a sample of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. The secondary objective was to identify associations between demographic and employment characteristics with ideal CVH in EMS professionals.Methods:A cross-sectional survey based on the American Heart Association’s (AHA; Dallas, Texas USA) Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) was administered to nationally-certified EMTs and paramedics. The LS7 components were scored according to previously described cut points (ideal = 2; intermediate = 1; poor = 0). A composite CVH score (0-10) was calculated from the component scores, excluding cholesterol and blood glucose due to missing data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR; 95% CI) for demographic and employment characteristics associated with optimal CVH (≥7 points).Results:There were 24,708 respondents that were currently practicing and included. More EMTs achieved optimal CVH (n = 4,889; 48.8%) compared to paramedics (n = 4,338; 40.6%). Factors associated with higher odds of optimal CVH included: higher education level (eg, college graduate or more: OR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.97-2.59); higher personal income (OR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.17-1.37); and working in an urban versus rural area (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.23-1.40). Paramedic certification level (OR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.78-0.91), older age (eg, 50 years or older: OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.58-0.73), male sex (OR = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.50-0.56), working for a non-fire-based agency (eg, private service: OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.74), and providing medical transport service (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94) were associated with lower odds of optimal CVH.Conclusions:Several EMS-related characteristics were associated with lower odds of optimal CVH. Future studies should focus on better understanding the CVH and metabolic risk profiles for EMS professionals and their association with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), major cardiac events, and occupational mortality.Cash RE, Crowe RP, Bower JK, Foraker RE, Panchal AR. Differences in cardiovascular health metrics in emergency medical technicians compared to paramedics: a crosssectional study of Emergency Medical Services professionals.Prehosp Disaster Med.2019;34(3):288–296.

scholarly journals The many faces of self-control: Tacit assumptions and recommendations to deal with them.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Milyavskaya ◽  
Elliot Berkman ◽  
Denise De Ridder
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lay People ◽  
Interdisciplinary Knowledge ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
The Many ◽  
Tacit Assumptions

The term self-control is broadly used by both researchers and lay people. However, both the term itself and the research on self-control is full of assumptions that are often unexamined and unchallenged. In this paper, we question many assertions and assumptions about self-control that foster confusion and controversy, including the multitude of processes encompassed by the varied uses of the term “self-control.” We describe how these assumptions have caused gaps in the empirical literature, impeded the development of an interdisciplinary knowledge base about self-control, and ultimately slowed scientific progress in this area. Critically, we also present a set of recommendations for conducting research on self-control that would be relevant across theories, areas of inquiry, and disciplines. By bringing these assumptions to light, future research can better focus on issues that are important and foundational but have been relatively neglected by the literature because of their implicit nature. This paper thus raises new avenues for research by highlighting what the field generally assumes but does not test directly.

Gender Issues and Partner Preferences Among a Sample of Emergency Medical Technicians

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryl Gonsoulin ◽  
C. Eddie Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
The United States ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Emergency Medical Technicians ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
Partner Preferences ◽  
Working Environments ◽  
Emergency Medical

AbstractIntroduction:From its beginnings, the provision of emergency medical services in the United States has been a male-dominated occupation. The objective of this exploratory study was to determine if and how such issues might influence partner preferences of male and female emergency medical technicians (EMTs).Methods:Initially, unstructured interviews were conducted with 10 EMS workers enrolled in a paramedic training program in order to see whether and how such issue might affect partner preferences. From the data obtained during these interviews, a questionairre was developed and distributed to participants in an annual meeting of Louisiana Association of Nationally Registered EMTs. Participation was voluntary and uncompensated.Results:A total of 49 EMTs (22 women, 27 men) completed the questionairre. The major gender-related issues could be class fied into three dimensions: 1) physical strength; 2) assumption of authoritative roles; and 3) structural (organizational) preparedness to implement gender-friendly working environments. In general, the gender of a partner now “makes no difference”.Conclusion:Overall, the EMS work worlds are reflective of the larger society of which they are a part. Now is the time for EMS systems to examine the gendered nature of their organization and of the issues of gendered expectations prevalent in EMS work. Future research should document the changes now due in the field of emergency medical services.

Yogic Intervention in Sexual Dysfunction - A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakshith K. R. ◽  
Shivakumar . ◽  
Kaushal Sinha ◽  
Vijeth Kumar L. A.
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
The Mind

Yoga is an ancient practice with Eastern roots that involves both physical postures (Asanas) and breathing techniques (Pranayamas). Yoga therapy for male sexual problems can effectively be treated through Yoga therapy, particularly with the help of Yoga poses and breathing exercises, Yoga has proven itself highly very effective in the treatment of a number of incurable and sometimes terminable diseases. Then again, Yoga's therapeutic effects are just a spin-off and supplementary. Yoga which has proved to be very effective in the treatment of many impossible and incurable diseases, the therapeutic effect of Yoga is only a by product and incidental. Problems related to sex can very well be handled with Yoga as most often these problems are more related to the mind than body. Either they are caused by lack of confidence or stress or fatigue or fear and very few times some physical cause is there. There is also a cognitive component focusing on meditation and concentration, which aids in achieving the goal of union between the self and the spiritual. Although numerous empirical studies have found a beneficial effect of Yoga on different aspects of physical and psychological functioning, claims of Yoga's beneficial effects on sexuality derive from a rich but no empirical literature. The goal of this article is to review the philosophy and forms of Yoga, to review the no empirical and (limited) empirical literatures linking Yoga with enhanced sexuality, and to propose some future research avenues focusing on Yoga as a treatment for sexual disorder.

Fatigue Failure Analysis Using the Theory of Critical Distance

2011 ◽  
Vol 462-463 ◽  
pp. 663-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruslizam Daud ◽  
Ahmad Kamal Ariffin ◽  
Shahrum Abdullah ◽  
Al Emran Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Stress Concentration ◽  
Fatigue Failure ◽  
Notch Root ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Critical Distance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Linear Elastic ◽  
The Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Elastic Fracture

This paper explores the initial potential of theory of critical distance (TCD) which offers essential fatigue failure prediction in engineering components. The intention is to find the most appropriate TCD approach for a case of multiple stress concentration features in future research. The TCD is based on critical distance from notch root and represents the extension of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) principles. The approach is allowing possibilities for fatigue limit prediction based on localized stress concentration, which are characterized by high stress gradients. Using the finite element analysis (FEA) results and some data from literature, TCD applications is illustrated by a case study on engineering components in different geometrical notch radius. Further applications of TCD to various kinds of engineering problems are discussed.

scholarly journals Prehospital emergency medical technicians can perform ultrasonography and blood analysis in prehospital evaluation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giti Nadim ◽  
Christian B. Laursen ◽  
Pia I. Pietersen ◽  
Daniel Wittrock ◽  
Michael K. Sørensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Respiratory Insufficiency ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Emergency Medical Technicians ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Release Strategy

Abstract Introduction Crowding of the emergency departments is an increasing problem. Many patients with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often treated in the emergency departments for a very short period before discharged to their homes. It is possible that this treatment could take place in the patients’ homes with sufficient diagnostics supporting the treatment. In an effort to keep the diagnostics and treatment of some of these patients in their homes and thus to reduce the patient load at the emergency departments, we implemented a prehospital treat-and-release strategy based on ultrasonography and blood testing performed by emergency medical technicians (EMT) or paramedics (PM) in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Method EMTs and PMs were enrolled in a six-hour educational program covering ultrasonography of the lungs and point of care blood tests. During the seasonal peak of COPD exacerbations (October 2018 – May 2019) all patients who were treated by the ambulance crews for respiratory insufficiency were screened in the ambulances. If the patient had uncomplicated COPD not requiring immediate transport to the hospital, ultrasonographic examination of the lungs, measurements of C-reactive protein and venous blood gases analyses were performed. The response to the initial treatment and the results obtained were discussed via telemedical consultation with a prehospital anaesthesiologist who then decided to either release the patient at the scene or to have the patient transported to the hospital. The primary outcome was strategy feasibility. Results We included 100 EMTs and PMs in the study. During the study period, 771 patients with respiratory insufficiency were screened. Uncomplicated COPD was rare as only 41patients were treated according to the treat-and-release strategy. Twenty of these patients (49%) were released at the scene. In further ten patients, technical problems were encountered hindering release at the scene. Conclusion In a few selected patients with suspected acute exacerbations of COPD, it was technically and organisationally feasible for EMTs and PMs to perform prehospital POCT-ultrasound and laboratory testing and release the patients following treatment. None of the patients released at the scene requested a secondary ambulance within the first 48 h following the intervention.

scholarly journals Stress and burnout in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) trainees: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Owen ◽  
Louise Crouch-Read ◽  
Matthew Smith ◽  
Paul Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
List Type ◽  
Dual Roles ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Current State

Abstract For more than a decade, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) has been training a new workforce of psychological therapists. Despite evidence of stress and burnout both in trainee mental health professionals, and qualified IAPT clinicians, little is known about these topics in IAPT trainees. Consequently, this systematic review sought to establish the current state of the literature regarding stress and burnout in IAPT trainees. Electronic databases were searched to identify all published and available unpublished work relating to the topic. On the basis of pre-established eligibility criteria, eight studies (including six unpublished doctoral theses) were identified and assessed for quality. This review identifies that research into the experience of IAPT trainees is under-developed. Existing evidence tentatively suggests that IAPT trainees may experience levels of stress and burnout that are higher than their qualified peers and among the higher end of healthcare professionals more generally. The experience of fulfilling dual roles as mental health professionals and university students concurrently appears to be a significant source of stress for IAPT trainees. More research regarding the levels and sources of stress and burnout in IAPT trainees is urgently needed to confirm and extend these findings. Recommendations for future research in the area are given. Key learning aims (1) To establish the current state of the literature regarding stress and burnout in IAPT trainees. (2) To raise practitioner, service and education-provider awareness regarding the levels and perceived sources of stress and burnout in IAPT trainees. (3) To make recommendations regarding future research on the topic.

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