Violence-Research

TORONTO, Ont., - January 6th, 2012 – New research conducted in large part by The Tema Conter Memorial Trust has found that more than two-thirds of paramedics surveyed have experienced verbal, physical or sexual abuse on the job.

The Tema Conter Memorial Trust aides in the research and proper education in the incidents of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Critical Incident Stress (CIS) faced daily by emergency services and military personnel.

Project Manager Glenn Munro, Director, Research & Education, was supported by the work done by other key participants: Blair Bigham, lead investigator, St. Michael’s Hospital RESCU, Toronto; Jan Jensen, a Paramedic Researcher, Nova Scotia EHS; Walter Tavares, Paramedic Programme Co-ordinator, Centennial College, Toronto; Humaira Saleem, research assistant, Centennial College/University of Toronto. Data has confirmed there is an increase in incidences of verbal abuse by patients and their friends or relatives, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) co-workers or bystanders in addition to intimidation and physical abuse.

The study asked Regional EMS services to identify if they had directly been the victims of various forms of violence within the 12 months by completing the quantitative paper survey.

The study, published in the January issue of Prehospital Emergency Care, found:

Verbal abuse was reported by 67.4 per cent of EMS workers surveyed, perpetrated by patients (62.9 per cent), patient family or friends (36.4 per cent), colleagues (20.8 per cent), and bystanders (5.8 per cent).

Intimidation was reported by 41.5 per cent, perpetrated by patients (37.8 per cent), patient family or friends (27 per cent), colleagues (45.3 per cent), and bystanders (3.4 per cent).

Physical abuse was reported by 26.1 per cent, perpetrated by patients (92.3 per cent), patient family or friends (11.1 per cent), colleagues (3.8 per cent), and bystanders (2.3 per cent).

Sexual harassment was reported by 13.6 per cent, perpetrated by patients (64.7 per cent), patient family or friends (18.4 per cent), colleagues (41.2 per cent), and bystanders (8.8 per cent).

Sexual assault was reported by 2.7 per cent, perpetrated by patients (88.9 per cent), patient family or friends (7.4 per cent), colleagues (14.8 per cent), and bystanders (2.7per cent).

The results of the study produced predictable quantitative and qualitative data confirming the high frequency of violence directed towards paramedics in the workplace. “The results are intended to foster further research into the psychological effects of violence in areas such as burnout, compensation claims, discipline, sick time use, and furthermore,” said Glenn Munro.

Tools to reduce the incidence of violent acts are needed and methods of mitigating the effects of violence should be present in EMS agencies.

For more information, please contact:

Jenna Conter

Media and Public Relations

The Tema Conter Memorial Trust

jconter@tema.ca

Charity leads charge in abuse in the workplace research