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Cited by 125Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchStress and Burnout ResearchOccupational Health and Burnout

What makes an incident critical for ambulance workers? Emotional outcomes and implications for intervention

Halpern, Janice, Gurevich, Maria, Schwartz, Brian, Brazeau, Paulette·2009·Work & Stress
DOI 10.1080/02678370903057317
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Abstract

Ambulance workers use the term “critical incident” to refer to a category of workplace stressor. Developing an evidence-based approach to critical incident stress begins with identifying what makes incidents critical. The aim of this qualitative study was to characterize critical incidents as well as elicit suggestions for interventions. We interviewed 60 ambulance-based workers, both front-line and supervisors, and analysed interview transcripts. Having presented their suggestions for interventions more fully elsewhere (Halpern et al, 2009), here we characterize the incidents that emerged as critical and the emotional responses evoked by them. We found they suffered considerable distress from critical incidents and would welcome interventions. Incidents that were identified as critical commonly involved patient death, often combined with poignancy. These events appeared to evoke vulnerable feelings of inability to help and intense compassion, which led to further emotional, cognitive, and behavioural responses. Difficulty in acknowledging distress and fear of stigma presented significant barriers to accessing support. These barriers may be overcome by educating both ambulance personnel and their supervisors to recognize and tolerate the vulnerable feelings often evoked by critical incidents. While gender and length of service did not seem to impact on evoked emotions, recent recruits may be more open to this type of education.

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Crossref · 10.1080/02678370903057317

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Authors
Halpern, J., Gurevich, M., Schwartz, B., & Brazeau, P.
Affiliations
  • Mount Sinai Hospital (CA)
  • Toronto Metropolitan University (CA)
  • University of Toronto (CA)
Corresponding author
Halpern, Janice
ORCID
Halpern, Janice
Venue
Work & Stress
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2009-04
Volume
23
Issue
2
Pages
173-189
ISSN
  • 0267-8373 (ISSN-L)
  • 1464-5335
DOI
10.1080/02678370903057317
OpenAlex
W1970644865
Cited by
124
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 6
FWCI
2.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Work & Stress (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
Keywords
critical incidents, ambulance personnel, emergency medical services, occupational stress, emotional responses, compassion, patient death, stigma, helplessness, distress, supervisor education, workplace interventions

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