Abstract
Despite threats to wellbeing inherent in paramedicine, little is known about how paramedics
cope. This study explored the breadth of healthy and unhealthy coping strategies used
by paramedics and student paramedics. A convenience sample of 198 paramedics and student
paramedics completed an online survey. Wellbeing was measured using WHO-5 and coping
using the Coping Index. Primary outcomes were summarised using descriptive statistics.
Most of the sample had wellbeing (68%); student paramedics had significantly better
wellbeing than paramedics. There was no significant difference between paramedics
and student paramedics on healthy or unhealthy coping. Participants with ill-being
had significantly fewer healthy and more unhealthy coping strategies than those with
wellbeing, and relatively few used professional support (28%). Internationally, few
studies have reported coping strategies in paramedics. This study expands our understanding
of healthy and unhealthy coping strategies used by paramedics and student paramedics.
The results support research that shows paramedic work affects wellbeing, however
not that paramedics are at greater risk of unhealthy coping than students or the general
population. The results have implications for both the prevention of overwhelming
distress in the workplace and the need to increase the use of professional support
to prevent unhealthy coping, including suicidality.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 04, 2022
Accepted:
April 25,
2022
Received in revised form:
April 6,
2022
Received:
January 31,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
