Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods
Abstract Introduction The unpredictability of prehospital emergencies combined with constantly changing circumstances can lead to increased stress and mental health issues among Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). To accurately determine the stress-inducing factors in the prehospital environment,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Emergency Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00906-7 |
| _version_ | 1797577662383783936 |
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| author | Ali Afshari Mohammad Torabi Sasan Navkhasi Marzieh Aslani Afshin Khazaei |
| author_facet | Ali Afshari Mohammad Torabi Sasan Navkhasi Marzieh Aslani Afshin Khazaei |
| author_sort | Ali Afshari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction The unpredictability of prehospital emergencies combined with constantly changing circumstances can lead to increased stress and mental health issues among Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). To accurately determine the stress-inducing factors in the prehospital environment, it is important to first identify the stressful events that occur in this environment. Therefore, this study strives to provide a thorough analysis of the stressors in the prehospital environment. Methods Sequential explanatory mixed methods were conducted in Hamadan prehospital emergency centers in 2022. The study included 251 EMTs, who were selected through a method in the quantitative phase. The quantitative part used a questionnaire consisting of basic information and the Posttraumatic Stress Questionnaire (PCL-5). In the qualitative phase, 17 with extensive experience in dealing with prehospital stressors were selected based on their PCL-5 scores (above 33). The qualitative phase analysis was carried out using the contractual content method using the Graneheim and Ladman's approach. Statistical analyzes for the quantitative and qualitative phases were performed using SPSS 21 and maxqda 10, respectively. Results The study revealed that the EMTs had an average PTSD score of 21. 60 ± 11. 45. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the number of shifts had a statistically significant relationship with PTSD scores (t = 26.38, P < 0.001). The qualitative phase of the study included 17 interviews, resulting in 14 subcategories, which consisted of four categories: “the overall impact of the stress crisis on technicians,” “missing links in the communication network in incident management,” "professional shortcomings in pre-hospital care,” and “the complex and multifaceted context of stressful pre-hospital emergencies.” Additionally, the study's theme was centered around “surveying the experiences of EMTs in stressful environments.” Conclusion As the number of shifts increased, the primary cause of the high prevalence of PTSD in EMTs was revealed. Prehospital emergency stress can be reduced and managed more skillfully by adjusting various factors such as shortening workdays, offering continuous training, augmenting workforce, supplying ambulance equipment insurance, refraining from hiring personnel devoid of clinical training, hiring psychologists, hiring midwives in an emergency, updating prehospital protocols and guidelines, encouraging cooperation between EMTs and other relief groups, and utilizing cutting-edge technologies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:12:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-402250eefb8048eaa2263f67937da34d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-227X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:12:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-402250eefb8048eaa2263f67937da34d2023-11-19T12:34:44ZengBMCBMC Emergency Medicine1471-227X2023-11-0123111410.1186/s12873-023-00906-7Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methodsAli Afshari0Mohammad Torabi1Sasan Navkhasi2Marzieh Aslani3Afshin Khazaei4Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery School, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nursing, Malayer School of Nursing, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Prehospital Emergency Medicine, Asadabad School of Medical SciencesInstructor of Critical Care Nursing, Department of Nursing, Asadabad School of Medical SciencesDepartment of Prehospital Emergency Medicine, Asadabad School of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction The unpredictability of prehospital emergencies combined with constantly changing circumstances can lead to increased stress and mental health issues among Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). To accurately determine the stress-inducing factors in the prehospital environment, it is important to first identify the stressful events that occur in this environment. Therefore, this study strives to provide a thorough analysis of the stressors in the prehospital environment. Methods Sequential explanatory mixed methods were conducted in Hamadan prehospital emergency centers in 2022. The study included 251 EMTs, who were selected through a method in the quantitative phase. The quantitative part used a questionnaire consisting of basic information and the Posttraumatic Stress Questionnaire (PCL-5). In the qualitative phase, 17 with extensive experience in dealing with prehospital stressors were selected based on their PCL-5 scores (above 33). The qualitative phase analysis was carried out using the contractual content method using the Graneheim and Ladman's approach. Statistical analyzes for the quantitative and qualitative phases were performed using SPSS 21 and maxqda 10, respectively. Results The study revealed that the EMTs had an average PTSD score of 21. 60 ± 11. 45. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the number of shifts had a statistically significant relationship with PTSD scores (t = 26.38, P < 0.001). The qualitative phase of the study included 17 interviews, resulting in 14 subcategories, which consisted of four categories: “the overall impact of the stress crisis on technicians,” “missing links in the communication network in incident management,” "professional shortcomings in pre-hospital care,” and “the complex and multifaceted context of stressful pre-hospital emergencies.” Additionally, the study's theme was centered around “surveying the experiences of EMTs in stressful environments.” Conclusion As the number of shifts increased, the primary cause of the high prevalence of PTSD in EMTs was revealed. Prehospital emergency stress can be reduced and managed more skillfully by adjusting various factors such as shortening workdays, offering continuous training, augmenting workforce, supplying ambulance equipment insurance, refraining from hiring personnel devoid of clinical training, hiring psychologists, hiring midwives in an emergency, updating prehospital protocols and guidelines, encouraging cooperation between EMTs and other relief groups, and utilizing cutting-edge technologies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00906-7PTSDEmergency medical techniciansPsychiatric disordersPrehospital emergency care |
| spellingShingle | Ali Afshari Mohammad Torabi Sasan Navkhasi Marzieh Aslani Afshin Khazaei Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods BMC Emergency Medicine PTSD Emergency medical technicians Psychiatric disorders Prehospital emergency care |
| title | Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods |
| title_full | Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods |
| title_fullStr | Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods |
| title_short | Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods |
| title_sort | navigating into the unknown exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors a sequential explanatory mixed methods |
| topic | PTSD Emergency medical technicians Psychiatric disorders Prehospital emergency care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-023-00906-7 |
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