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Downtime after Critical Incidents in Emergency Medical TechniciansParamedics
Joint Authors
Halpern, Janice
Gurevich, Maria
Schwartz, Brian
Maunder, Robert G.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-05-03
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Effective workplace-based interventions after critical incidents (CIs) are needed for emergency medical technicians (EMT)/paramedics.
The evidence for a period out of service post-CI (downtime) is sparse; however it may prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout symptoms.
We examined the hypothesis that downtime post-CI is associated with fewer symptoms of four long-term emotional sequelae in EMT/paramedics: depression, PTSD, burnout, and stress-related emotional symptoms (accepted cut-offs defined high scores).
Two hundred and one paramedics completed questionnaires concerning an index CI including downtime experience, acute distress, and current emotional symptoms.
Nearly 75% received downtime; 59% found it helpful; 84% spent it with peers.
Downtime was associated only with lower depression symptoms, not with other outcomes.
The optimal period for downtime was between <30 minutes and end of shift, with >1 day being less effective.
Planned testing of mediation of the association between downtime and depression by either calming acute post-CI distress or feeling helped by others was not performed because post-CI distress was not associated with downtime and perceived helpfulness was not associated with depression.
These results suggest that outcomes of CIs follow different pathways and may require different interventions.
A brief downtime is a relatively simple and effective strategy in preventing later depression symptoms.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Halpern, Janice& Maunder, Robert G.& Schwartz, Brian& Gurevich, Maria. 2014. Downtime after Critical Incidents in Emergency Medical TechniciansParamedics. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-475175
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Halpern, Janice…[et al.]. Downtime after Critical Incidents in Emergency Medical TechniciansParamedics. BioMed Research International No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-475175
American Medical Association (AMA)
Halpern, Janice& Maunder, Robert G.& Schwartz, Brian& Gurevich, Maria. Downtime after Critical Incidents in Emergency Medical TechniciansParamedics. BioMed Research International. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-475175
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-475175