Mental and physical symptoms are common in paramedics, which may relate to high work
stress, including critical incidents. As previous trauma is a risk factor for psychological symptoms after exposure to critical incidents, the prevalence of childhood experiences with abuse and neglect and paramedics’ adaptation to critical incidents may be important.
Ambulance workers are exposed to critical incidents that may evoke intense distress and can result in long‐term impairment. Individuals who can regulate distress may experience briefer post‐incident distress and fewer longterm emotional difficulties.
Ambulance workers could benefit from a method for early identification of incidents likely to result in long-term emotional sequelae. There is evidence that persistence of some measures of anxiety
beyond the first week after an incident is associated with sequlae. In this study we test the hypothesis that persistence of self-identifiable components of the acute stress reaction as early as a few days post-incident is associated with sequelae.
Emotional Labour and Policing from the perspective of retired officers: A preliminary study
This qualitative study is based on interviews conducted with 6 retired police officers. The study investigated emotional labour as experienced by law enforcement officers and the coping mechanisms that were used while on the job.
Interventions for Critical Incident Stress in Emergency Medical Services: A Qualitative Study
Controversy over the use of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing has left Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Organizations with little direction in preventing sequelae of Critical Incident Stress (CIS) in their employees.
What makes an Incident Critical for Ambulance Personnel? Emotional Outcomes and Implications for Intervention
Emergency personnel and other first responders, such as ambulance workers, often experience stressful or “critical” incidents in their work. Over the past decade, in light of the controversy over Critical Incident Stress Debriefing research into this area has become increasingly important. Both ambulance workers and their employers need effective new interventions.
Uneasy Dance Partners
Supervisor support helps paramedics cope with stress: Study
Frontline Stress behind the Scenes:
Emergency Medical Dispatchers
The role of emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) is critical to the outcome of emergency calls. They are the first point of entry for emergency calls; they act as conduits for information between civilians and emergency workers; and they may administer limited interventions via telephone. However, their experiences have been virtually ignored.
Research Papers
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Research Partners
We would like to thank the following organizations for their support and contributions to our research projects:
