RESEARCH PAPER
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Job burnout is a phenomenon that results from unmanaged chronic workplace stress, which is directly related to the stressful nature or workplace, as well as experiencing chronic emotional strain and is characterized by high emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and low professional efficacy. Emergency Medical Teams are just such a workplace. Paramedics functioning in a state of prolonged, permanent stress begin to lose motivation to continue their work with their previous commitment. The purpose of this study is to answer the question of whether the paramedics surveyed feel professionally burned out, and how stress affects the performance of professional activities and health behaviour.

Material and methods:
The study was conducted from May 2019 to September 2019 among 238 (223 males and 15 females) paramedics of the outgoing Emergency Medical Service from the Mazovian province. The study used standardized tools in the form of questionnaires: Link Burnout Questionnaire – LBQ and Health Behavior Inventory Questionnaire – IZZ.

Results:
The study showed high levels of psychophysical exhaustion in our sample of paramedics.

Conclusions:
The problem of professional burnout among paramedics requires wider recognition as well as the development of preventive measures to minimize its negative effects. It is necessary to consider the education of paramedics on the subject in question, as well as extending increased psychological support to this professional group.

 
REFERENCES (38)
1.
Chirico F, Nucera G, Leiter M. Measuring burnout syndrome requires reliable and standardized measures. Hong Kong J Emerg Med. 2022 May. doi:10.1177/10249079221096920.
 
2.
Chirico F, Magnavita N. Burnout Syndrome and Meta-Analyses: Need for Evidence-Based Research in Occupational Health. Comments on Prevalence of Burnout in Medical and Surgical Residents: A Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16: doi:10.3390/ijerph16091479. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(3):741. Published 2020 Jan 23. doi:10.3390/ijerph17030741.
 
3.
Chirico F, Crescenzo P, Sacco A. Ricco M, Ripa S, Nucera G, Magnavita N. Prevalence of burnout syndrome among Italian volunteers of the Red Cross: a cross-sectional study. Industrial Health. 2021;59(2):117–127. doi:10.2486/indhealth.2020-0246.
 
4.
Magnavita N, Chirico F, Garbarino S, Bragazzi NL, Santacroce E, Zaffina S. SARS/MERS/SARS-CoV-2 Outbreaks and Burnout Syndrome among Healthcare Workers. An Umbrella Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(8):4361, doi:10.3390/ijerph18084361.
 
5.
Liu Y, Aungsuroch Y. Work stress, perceived social support, self-efficacy, and burnout among Chinese registered nurses. J Nurs Management. 2019;27(7):1445–1453. doi:10.1111/jonm.12828.
 
6.
WHO. Burnout an “Occupational Phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases; WHO: Geneva, Switzerland, 2019; Available online: https://www.who.int/mental_hea... (21.06.2023).
 
7.
Kłosiewicz T, Zalewski R, Dąbrowski M, Kłosiewicz K, Rut A, Sip M, Szarpak Ł. Emergency healthcare providers perception of workplace dangers in the polish Emergency Medical Service: a multi-centre survey study. Disas Emergency Med J. 2019;4(4):166–172. doi:10.5603/DEMJ.a2019.0030.
 
8.
Gonczaryk A, Chmielewski JP, Strzelecka A, Fiks J, Witkowski G, Florek-Łuszczki M. Occupational hazards in the consciousness of the paramedic in emergency medical service. Disas Emergency Med J. 2022;7(3):182–190. doi:10.5603/DEMJ.a2022.0031.
 
9.
Szarpak Ł. Knowledge of aseptics and antisepsis and following their rules as elements of infection prevention in the work of paramedics. Med Pr. 2013;64(2):239–243, indexed in Pubmed: 23829068.
 
10.
Gonczaryk A, Sady N, Motyl M, Strzelecka A, Chojnowska-Cwiakała I, Florek-Łuszczki M, Chmielewski JP. Prevalence of sleep disturbances among emergency response team paramedics working in shift systems. Disas Emergency Med J. 2023;8(1):1–9. doi:10.5603/DEMJ.a2023.0009.
 
11.
Gonczaryk A, Chmielewski JP, Strzelecka A, Fiks J, Nowak-Starz G, Florek-Łuszczki M. Effect of selected factors related to emotions and general health on the health behaviours of paramedics. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2022;29(3):424–432. doi:10.26444/aaem/151531.
 
12.
Gonczaryk A, Sady N, Kosoń A, Motyl M, Chojnowska-Ćwiąkała I, Bartyzel M. Psychosocial occupational risk factors present in the work environment of paramedics [in Polish]. Med Srod. 2022;25(3–4):66–71. doi:10.26444/ms/161596.
 
13.
Chirico F, Afolabi AA, Ilesanmi OS, Nucera G, Ferrari G, Szarpak L, Yildirim M, Magnavita N. Workplace violence against healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. J Health Soc Sci. 2022;7(1):14–35. doi:10.19204/2022/WRKP2.
 
14.
Chirico F, Leiter M. Tackling stress, burnout, suicide, and preventing the “Great resignation” phenomenon among healthcare workers (during and after the COVID-19 pandemic) for maintaining the sustainability of healthcare systems and reaching the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. J Health Soc Sci. 2022;7(1):9–13. doi:10.19204/2022/TCKL1.
 
15.
Chirico F, Afolabi AA, Ilesanmi OS, Nucera G, Ferrari G, Sacco A, Szarpak L, Crescenzo P, Magnavita N. Leiter M. Prevalence, risk factors and prevention of burnout syndrome among healthcare workers: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. J Health Soc Sci. 2021;6(4):465–491. doi:10.19204/2021/prvl3.
 
16.
Chirico F, Nucera G. Tribute to healthcare operators threatened by COVID-19 pandemic. J Health Soc Sci. 2020;5(2):165–168. doi:10.19204/2020/trbt1.
 
17.
Dąbrowski M, Szczepański B, Rachubiński P, Kapler M, Dąbrowska A, Szarpak Ł, Nowicki MM. Evolution and challenges of the paramedic profession in Poland. Anest Ratow. 2017;11:176–83.
 
18.
Blek N, Szarpak Ł. Profile of practices and knowledge on stroke among Polish emergency medical service staff. Disas Emerg Med J. 2021;6(2):55–62. doi:10.5603/DEMJ.a2021.0009.
 
19.
Chirico F. The forgotten realm of the new and emerging psychosocial risk factors. J Occup Health. 2017;59(5):433–435. doi:10.1539/joh.17-0111-OP.
 
20.
World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. JAMA 2013; 310(20):2191. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.281053.
 
21.
Polish adaptation LBQ Link Burnout Questionnaire. https://www.practest.com.pl/sk....
 
22.
Questionnaire IZZ Health Behavior Inventory. https://www.practest.com.pl/sk....
 
23.
Sedlár M. Cognitive skills of emergency medical services crew members: a literature review. BMC Emerg Med. 2020;20:44. doi:10.1186/s12873-020-00330-1.
 
24.
Lawn S, Roberts L, Willis E, Couzner L, Mohammadi L, Goble E. The effects of emergency medical service work on the psychological, physical, and social well-being of ambulance personnel: a systematic review of qualitative research. BMC Psychiatry 2020;20(1):348. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02752-4.
 
25.
Baseman J, Revere D, Paintyerm J, et al. Impact of new technologies on stress, attrition and well-being in emergency call centers: the Next Generation 9-1-1 study protocol. BMC Public Health. 2018;18:597. doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5510-x.
 
26.
Smith EC, Holmes L, Burkle FM. Exploring the physical and mental health challenges associated with emergency service call-taking and dispatching: A review of the literature. Prehos Disas Med. 2019;34(6):619–624. doi:10.1017/S1049023X19004990.
 
27.
Crowe RP, Bower JK, Cash RE, Panchal AR, Rodriguez SA, Olivo-Marston SE. Association of burnout with workforce-reducing factors among EMS professionals. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2018;22(2):229–236. doi:10.1080/10903127.2017.1356411.
 
28.
Crowe RP, Fernandez AR, Pepe PE, Cash RE, Rivard MK, Wronski R, Ferketich AK. The association of job demands and resources with burnout among emergency medical services professionals. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2020;1(1):6–16. doi:10.1002/emp2.12014.
 
29.
Crowe RP, Bower JK, Cash RE, Panchal AR, Rodriguez SA, Olivo-Marston SE. Association of burnout with workforce-reducing factors among EMS professionals. Prehospital Emergency Care. 2018;22(2):229–236. doi:10.1080/10903127.2017.1356411.
 
30.
Tarchi L, Crescenzo P, Talamonti K. Prevalence and predictors of mental distress among Italian red cross auxiliary corps: a cross-sectional evaluation after deployment in anti-COVID-19 operations. Military Psychol. 2022;1–14.
 
31.
Tarchi L, Crescenzo P, Castellini G, Ricca V, Talamonti K, Rispoli F, et al. Volunter-aholism: A comprehensive model of personality, burnout, and mental distress in a sample of healthcare first responders of the Italian Red Cross Auxiliary Corps. J Health Soc Sci. 2023;8(2):103–120. doi:10.19204/2023/VLNT3.
 
32.
Nucera G, Chirico F, Yildirim M, Szarpak L, Magnavita N. Addressing burnout and PTSD among paramedics and emergency staff after the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of occupational health services and workplace programs. Disaster Emerg Med J. doi:10-5603/DEMJ.a2023.0031.
 
33.
ALmutairi MN, El. Mahalli AA. Burnout and coping methods among emergency medical services professionals. J Multidisciplinary Healthcare. 2020;13:271–279. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S244303.
 
34.
Sporer C. Burnout in emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the USA. Inter J Emergency Serv. 2021;10(3):366–389. doi:10.1108/IJES-03-2020-0012.
 
35.
Buljan D, Drozd A, Madziala M, Aleksandrowicz S. Intensity of stress and symptoms of job exhaustion among paramedics in Poland. Disas Emerg Med J. 2016;1(1):43–49. doi:10.5603/DEMJ.2016.0007.
 
36.
Reardon M, Abrahams, R, Thyer L, Simpson P. Prevalence of burnout in paramedics: A systematic review of prevalence studies. Emerg Med Australasia 2020;32(2):182–189. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.13478.
 
37.
Thielmann B, Schnell J, Böckelmann I, Schumann H. Analysis of Work Related Factors, Behavior, Well-Being Outcome, and Job Satisfaction of Workers of Emergency Medical Service: A Systematic Review. Inter J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(11):6660. doi:10.3390/ijerph19116660.
 
38.
Afshari A, Borzou SR, Shamsaei F, Mohammadi E, Tapak L. Perceived occupational stressors among emergency medical service providers: a qualitative study. BMC Emerg Med. 2021;21:35. doi:10.1186/s12873-021-00430-6.
 
eISSN:1898-2263
ISSN:1232-1966
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top