The Exploration of Physical Fatigue, Sleep and Depression in Paramedics: A Pilot Study
Abstract
Ambulance paramedics are members of a discipline that forms a unique part of the emergency services. As pre-hospital providers they are constantly and increasing faced with heavy workloads that are physically, mentally and emotionally tiring. Fatigue and sleep disturbance are factors which can compromise the effectiveness of these workers, and as a result not only hamper patient safety but can have detrimental consequences on the paramedics‟ health and overall well-being. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact shift work on physical fatigue, sleep and psychological factors among paramedics in Australia. Methods A convenience sample of paramedics was asked to complete a number of self-reporting standardised questionnaires: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (8-items), Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) (10-items), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (19-items) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (21-items). Ethics approval was granted. Results The study recruited 60 participants, the majority of which were male 77% (n=46), > 45 years of age 31% (n=19), and having worked shift work between 5-10 years 35% (n=21). Nine out of ten (92%, n=55) of paramedics reported having experienced fatigue in the last 6 months, with 88% (n=53) believing it had affected their performance at work. The ESS reported 30% (n=18) of people had excessive daytime sleepiness, and 10% (n=6) being dangerously sleepy. Statistical significance was observed in the ESS items „chance of dozing wh…
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The impact of shift work on sleep and fatigue has been widely reported among professionals across multiple occupations, with negative effects often more pronounced in high-pressure, cognitively demanding occupations such as healthcare and emergency services.
“The impact of shift work on sleep and fatigue have been widely reported among professionals across multiple occupations, with negative effects often more pronounced in those working in high-pressure, cognitively demanding occupations such as healthcare and emergency services roles (Courtney et al., 2013; Okechukwu et al., 2023; Sofianopoulos et al., 2011).”
From Understanding the Occupational Factors that Influence Paramedic Health and Wellbeing (2024) · cites this paper as Sofianopoulos et al., 2011
Significantly reduced levels of physical activity led to physical fatigue in the paramedic population.
“Sofianopoulos et al. (2011), also identified significantly reduced levels of physical activity, which led to physical fatigue in the paramedic population (Sofianopoulos et al., 2011).”
From Understanding the Occupational Factors that Influence Paramedic Health and Wellbeing (2024) · cites this paper as Sofianopoulos et al., 2011
Among Australian paramedics, there was statistical significance in the chance of falling asleep when sitting and talking to someone and while stopped in traffic.
“Statistical significance found in chance of falling asleep when sitting and talking to someone and while stopped in traffic.”
From Understanding the Occupational Factors that Influence Paramedic Health and Wellbeing (2024) · cites this paper as Sofianopoulos, S., Williams, B., Archer, F. & Thompson, B. 2011
Among Australian paramedics, 90% reported fatigue affecting performance at work.
“90% reported fatigue affecting performance at work.”
From Understanding the Occupational Factors that Influence Paramedic Health and Wellbeing (2024) · cites this paper as Sofianopoulos, S., Williams, B., Archer, F. & Thompson, B. 2011
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Can melatonin improve adaptation to night shift?
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Exploring factors associated with paramedic work-related psychological injury through data linkage
Kearney, J., Muir, C., Smith, K., & Meadley, B. (2023) · Journal of Safety Research · doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2023.05.012 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Understanding the Occupational Factors that Influence Paramedic Health and Wellbeing
Betts, C., Stoneley, A., Anderson, J., & Sutton, C. (2024) · International Journal of Paramedicine · doi:10.56068/mnrg8307 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Sofianopoulos, S., Williams, B., Archer, F., & Thompson, B.
- Affiliations
- Monash University (AU)
- The Alfred Hospital (AU)
- ORCID
- Williams, Brett
- Venue
- Australasian Journal of Paramedicine
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-01
- Volume
- 9
- Pages
- 1-33
- ISSN
- 2202-7270 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1549523165
- Cited by
- 69
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Australasian Journal of Paramedicine (publishedVersion)
- Swinburne figshare (Swinburne University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
- Keywords
- paramedics, physical fatigue, shift work, sleep disorders, depression, excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, occupational health, prehospital emergency medical services, employee performance, patient safety, well-being, gender differences, drowsy driving, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Berlin questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, occupational stress, burnout
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