Date of Award

6-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Health Science and Human Ecology

First Reader/Committee Chair

Becerra, Monideepa

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background Private Emergency Medical Services serve a vital role in the community, as such they are subject to job related stress. Currently, there is a limited amount of research related to the stressors related to the job.

Objective The purpose of this study was to define the type of daily stressors faced by Private EMS personnel and investigate how they impact their Sense of Coherence.

Study Design A mixed methods approach was used in this study to obtain the necessary data. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with current employees of an EMS agency that provides 911 service in their area. After the interviews, the participants were administered a survey.

Participants/setting Current EMS employees were invited to participate in an interview, in a location and time of their choosing. Both Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) were invited to participate.

Results Critical call incidents, while impacting the mental health of EMS provides, it does not impact them with the same magnitude of operational stress. Operational stress originates from the daily task, interactions and availability of resources. Operational stress was demonstrated to have a large impact on Sense of Coherence.

Conclusion Operational stress can have a larger impact on Sense of Coherence of EMS personnel. Research is needed to determine which EMS model helps mitigate the impacts of operational stress on the EMS personnel.

Download

Share

COinS