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Cited by 10Occupational Health and PerformancePosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchOccupational Health and Burnout

Exploring factors associated with paramedic work-related psychological injury through data linkage

Kearney, Jason, Muir, Carlyn, Smith, Karen, Meadley, Ben·2023·Journal of Safety Research
DOI 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.05.012
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Abstract

Introduction In comparison to the general population and other emergency services workers, paramedics experience high rates of work-related psychological injury. However, there is limited understanding of the case and practitioner-related factors that increase the risk of psychological injury among these workers. This paper aims to identify case and practitioner-related factors associated with paramedic work-related psychological injury in Victoria, Australia, through data linkage.Methods Data linkage of 7,223 paramedic injury reports with electronic patient care records, and paramedic demographic data from the single state-wide ambulance service in Victoria, Australia - Ambulance Victoria. Injuries reported between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2020 were included. Factors associated with paramedic psychological injury were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 4,641 (64%) injury reports were successfully linked, of which, 244 (5%) were psychological injuries. Shift hours between 0401 and 0800 (AOR 1.83; 95%CI: 1.12-2.97), cardiac arrest or deceased patient attendances (AOR 2.15; 95%CI: 1.06-4.34), hospital or medical center case locations (AOR 2.44; 95%CI: 1.22-4.91), and Priority 0 (AOR 2.27; 95%CI: 1.26-4.09), Priority 2 (AOR 1.56; 95%CI: 1.04-2.33), and Priority 3 (AOR 1.95; 95%CI: 1.15-3.32) dispatch codes were associated with increased odds of psychological injury. Increasing patient age (AOR 0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99), and the absence of other emergency services on scene (AOR 0.50; 95%CI: 0.34-0.72) were associated with decreased odds of paramedic psychological injury.Conclusions This is the first study to collectively examine and identify EMS case and practitioner-related characteristics associated with paramedic psychological injury through data linkage of EMS agency-level data sources.Practical application The findings of this study highlight the dispatch case characteristics that may increase the risk of a paramedic sustaining a work-related psychological injury, and consequently facilitate the early identification, intervention, and support of the individuals most at risk.

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Authors
Kearney, J., Muir, C., Smith, K., & Meadley, B.
Affiliations
  • Monash University (AU)
  • Ambulance Victoria (AU)
Corresponding author
Kearney, Jason
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Safety Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-09
Volume
86
Pages
213-225
ISSN
0022-4375 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jsr.2023.05.012
OpenAlex
W4378217665
Cited by
10
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4
FWCI
4.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Safety Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords
injuries, paramedics, ambulance personnel, emergency medical services, workplace mental health, cardiac arrest, patient age, Victoria, Australia, data linkage, injury reports, risk mitigation strategies
MeSH terms
Paramedics, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Medical Technicians, Humans, Victoria, Information Storage and Retrieval

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