Needs Assessment for Mental Health Support Towards Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Personnel

• Main Author: Kling, Michael Patrick
• Language: ENG
• Published: Regent University 2021
• Subjects: Clinical psychology
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=27961789

Understanding and assessing the needs of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel and other first responders is crucial for providing these individuals with the resources needed within their community. The literature discusses how EMS personnel are at risk for psychological impairment due to routine exposure to traumatic events and occupational stressors within EMS organizations. Additionally, the research has supported the importance of positive coping abilities, organizational belongingness, and social support within the lives of EMS personnel to enable them to resiliently handle the occupational stress of their job. This study investigated the occupational needs of EMS providers to determine if they are receiving resources within their organization to cope with occupational stressors. Participants for this study comprised (n=153) paramedics and fire-fighters from the Tidewater EMS Council organization. A needs assessment was conducted to explore correlations between quality of life, resiliency, years of service, level of education, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, interpersonal support, positive and negative religious coping, and the occupational needs of EMS personnel. The results revealed that burnout (r=4.27**) and secondary traumatic stress (r.215*) were important factors for determining occupational turnover among EMS personnel. Furthermore, EMS providers reported occupational needs such as easier access to mental health, improved staff relations, adequate staffing, and improved shift hours are needed within their organization. Future research should explore differences in occupational needs with EMS providers among EMS organizations in metropolitan and rural communities. Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Burnout, Occupational Stress, Traumatic Critical Incidents