Review of "Rhetorical work in emergency medical services: Communicating in the unpredictable workplace by Elizabeth Angeli," Angeli, E. L. (2019). Rhetorical work in emergency medical services: communicating in the unpredictable workplace. Routledge

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Elizabeth E. Weems
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Rhetorical Analysis ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Professional Communication ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Medical

In Rhetorical Work in Emergency Medical Services: Communicating in the Unpredictable Workplace (2019), Elizabeth L. Angeli explores the unpredictable workplaces which are the locations of emergency medical services provided by first responders, the EMS personnel who receive 911 calls but may have little idea about what to expect once they arrive at the site of the emergency. While rhetoric of health medicine (RHM) is not a new area of rhetoric, Angeli found little research about EMS professional rhetoric, leaving a void in understanding the modes of communication in these ever-changing, life-altering workplaces. Her text began as part of her dissertation project but morphed into a rhetorical analysis/EMS rhetorical training pedagogy for Technical Professional Communication (TPC) and RHM as well as EMS trainers and trainees.

Narrative Therapy to Address Trauma for Emergency Medical Services and Firefighters

2020 ◽  
pp. 243-257
Author(s):  
Amanda C. DeDiego ◽  
Isabel C. Farrell ◽  
Andrea M. McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
First Responder ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Peer Perception

First responders, including Emergency Medical Services personnel and firefighters, support community members in times of crisis. When responding to emergencies, first responders often experience both direct and vicarious trauma. Over time, the pace and intensity of a career as a first responder leads to poor health habits and high risk for mental health issues including posttraumatic stress disorder. Due to concern about peer perception and mental health stigma, these professionals are less likely to seek mental health supports to manage and process trauma. This chapter explores Narrative Therapy as an ideal option for mental health treatment of first responder trauma, providing a collaborative approach to therapy using the natural coping strategy of storytelling.

Narrative Therapy to Address Trauma for Emergency Medical Services and Firefighters

2021 ◽  
pp. 503-517
Author(s):  
Amanda C. DeDiego ◽  
Isabel C. Farrell ◽  
Andrea M. McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
First Responder ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Peer Perception

First responders, including Emergency Medical Services personnel and firefighters, support community members in times of crisis. When responding to emergencies, first responders often experience both direct and vicarious trauma. Over time, the pace and intensity of a career as a first responder leads to poor health habits and high risk for mental health issues including posttraumatic stress disorder. Due to concern about peer perception and mental health stigma, these professionals are less likely to seek mental health supports to manage and process trauma. This chapter explores Narrative Therapy as an ideal option for mental health treatment of first responder trauma, providing a collaborative approach to therapy using the natural coping strategy of storytelling.

scholarly journals Experiences of trauma, depression, anxiety, and stress in western-Canadian HEMS personnel

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Sebastian Harenberg ◽  
Michelle C. E. McCarron ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton ◽  
Thomas O'Malley ◽  
Terry Ross
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

Mental health in first responders and other public safety personnel has received substantial research attention in the past decade. Emergency medical services (EMS) demonstrate a heightened prevalence of maladaptive mental health concerns compared to other first responders (e.g., police, fire fighters). Interestingly, there is an absence of research examining helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) personnel, who respond to what are often life-threatening cases in chal­lenging circumstances. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to assess the experiences of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and associated mental health conditions (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress) in HEMS workers. HEMS work­ers from a single mid-western Canadian organization (n = 100) participated in the study. The participants completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) as part of an online survey. The results revealed that five per cent of HEMS personnel experienced heightened PTSD symptoms. Few participants exhibited signs of mild to severe depression, anxiety, and stress (< 17%). HEMS personnel experienced fewer mental health concerns than other first responder groups as reported in the literature; indeed, these figures are similar to levels observed within the general population. These findings may be explained by organizational or personality charac­teristics. Underreporting of mental health concerns may be an alternate explanation. Future qualitative and quantitative research is needed to explain and replicate the results of the present study. 

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