Relaxation and strain among emergency medical service personnel and emergency control center dispatchers during the first two waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Workloads of emergency medical service personnel (EMP) and emergency control center dispatchers (CCDs) were manifold. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented new challenges for the prehospital emergency medical service. The purpose of this study was to compare the status of stress/strain and recovery of Recovery-Stress Questionnaire among EMP and CCDs in Germany during the first 2 waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic both between occupational groups and over time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 2426 emergency medical service personnel and control center dispatchers were questioned with the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire based on Kallus. The results from the first 2 waves of the pandemic (June-August 2020 and January-February 2021) were compared. RESULTS: During the first and second wave of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the subjectively perceived stress of emergency medical service personnel and control center dispatchers increased, but recovery decreased. The CCDs showed more unfavorable values compared to EMP. CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion interventions are necessary to counteract possible career changes or mental or other diseases due to insufficient management. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(5):353-62.

Effect of Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns on Sleep Quality in Emergency Medical Service Personnel.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of work-related behavior and experience patterns on sleep quality in emergency medical service personnel. METHODS: From the total sample of 508 emergency medical service workers who took part in the Germany-wide online survey, 368 respondents completed the questionnaires on sleep characteristics (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and work-related behavior and experience pattern. Three hundred sixty-seven of the 368 participants also finished the Regensburg Insomnia Scale. RESULTS: Based on their work-related behavior and experience pattern results, individuals were categorized into one of the four following patterns: two risk patterns (A, B) and two healthy behavior and experience patterns (G, S). Participants that were classified into risk-pattern A and B (33.85%) scored significantly higher in both PSQI and Regensburg Insomnia Scale overall score and all PSQI components implicating a poorer sleep quality. A total of 78.5% of the individuals with pattern A and B were considered bad sleepers whereas only 43.4% of individuals with pattern G and S were scored as bad sleepers. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related behavior and experience patterns showed a strong association to sleep characteristics and may therefore be used to identify appropriate preventative measures.

Recovery and stress of control center dispatchers in the first waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Control center dispatchers (CCDs) are exposed to high levels of work-related mental stress, which are exacerbated by the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the recovery and stress state of CCDs during the first and second waves of the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic. A total of 490 CCDs (n = 440, t1 and n = 50, t2) with a mean age of 42.26 ± 8.79 years participated directly at the end of the first wave from June to August 2020 (t1) and during the second wave between January and February 2021 (t2) of the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic. The short form (EBF-24/A; test form S2) of the Kallus recovery-stress questionnaire (EBF) was applied. Over the course of the two survey phases, the dimensions strain significantly increased (t1: 2.47 ± 1.08 vs. t2: 3.12 ± 0.93 points, p < 0.001) and recovery significantly decreased (t1: 3.03 ± 0.94 vs. t2: 2.50 ± 0.81 points, p < 0.001). Significant to highly significant differences were present in the EBF dimensions of the two waves in the majority of cases, even when taking the waves into account. For the variable "recovery in the social field", a medium effect was noticeable in the corrected model (η2 = 0.064). The SARS-CoV­2 pandemic illustrates that the stress experience increased from the first to the second waves, and the recovery of CCDs decreased. These data provide a directional trend as the pandemic is ongoing, and stress and strain situations in control centers may continue to worsen. Immediate health promotion and prevention measures are essential.

[Recovery-stress levels in paramedics during the first two waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]. / Erholungs-Beanspruchungs-Zustand im Rettungsdienst während der ersten beiden Wellen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie.

Background: The balance between stress perception and recovery of emergency medical service personnel during service and leisure time is an essential indicator of mental and physical health. It ensures success in emergency medical care and is also a health policy and economic factor for any organization. The aim of the study was to evaluate the recovery stress level of paramedics in the first and second waves of the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic. Materials and methods: The quantitative cross-sectional study included 1936 records of responders (334 women and 1602 men, mean age 34.9 ± 10.5 years). The online survey during the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic was performed during the first wave in 2020 and the second wave in 2021. The short form EBF-24/A (test version S2) of the recovery stress questionnaire according to Kallus was analyzed. Results: During the course of the two survey phases, the dimensions stress increased significantly (t1: 2.52 ± 0.98 and t2: 2.88 ± 1.04 points, p < 0.001) and recovery decreased significantly (t1: 2.98 ± 0.90 and t2: 2.64 ± 0.89 points, p < 0.001). Similar results were found for the corresponding subscales with the exception of the subscale "restful sleep" of the dimension recovery (t1: 2.81 ± 1.36 and t2: 2.72 ± 1.36 points). Conclusion: During the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic, which has been ongoing since the beginning of 2020, the stress experienced by emergency responders increased from the first to the second wave, while the perception of recovery for emergency responders decreased. The study presents the current situation of recovery stress in German emergency medical service employees and allows predictions about performance and health in pandemic situations.

[Mental and physical stress in the emergency medical services: association of work-related behavior and the consequences of stress]. / Psychische und körperliche Belastung im Rettungsdienst: Zusammenhang des arbeitsbezogenen Verhaltens und der Beanspruchungsfolgen.

BACKGROUND: Ambulance workers are subject to a variety of work-related stress factors. These are counteracted by work-related resources. The aim of this work was to survey the mental and physical stress factors in emergency services personnel and to analyze the relationships between work-related behavior and stress consequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-six emergency services personnel (39.3 ± 8.04 years old) participated. The survey included occupational questions as well as questionnaires for the subjective assessment of stress at work according to Slesina, work-related behavior and experience patterns (AVEM), recovery stress (EBF), and physical, psychological, and social symptoms (KOEPS). RESULTS: The stresses reported by most respondents were awkward posture, lifting/carrying heavy loads, physical labor, and shift work. The highest rating for stress intensities was shift work (76.9% "often"). About one-third of the respondents showed a risk pattern of work-related behavior. KOEPS and EBF results were not abnormal. Behavioral traits that reflect job-related emotions correlated positively with recovery and negatively with strain and health complaints, which is consistent with theory. Striving for perfection, offensive problem solving, and professional ambition were not or hardly associated with the stress consequences. DISCUSSION: The risk assessment and collection of work-related behavioral data of emergency services personnel with regard to coping with the job's demands provide starting points for organizational and individual preventive measures. Based on AVEM templates, these can be customized.

Subjective perceptions of workload and stress of emergency service personnel depending on work-related behavior and experience patterns.

Purpose: Stressors due to the workload in the ambulance service are numerous and can be positively counteracted by work-related behaviors and experiences. We analyzed the subjective perceptions of workload and stress as a function of work-related behavior and experience patterns among emergency service personnel (EMP). Methods: A total of 276 EMP (94.6% men) participated (average age: 39.3 ± 8.04 years). Data on the stress situations of ambulance service staff according to the Slesina questionnaire, the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire (EBF), and the Questionnaire for Physical, Psychological and Social Symptoms (KOEPS) were obtained. Participants were classified into four patterns (A, B, G, and S) based on the Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns (AVEM) questionnaire. Results: Overall, 32% of EMP were classified into AVEM risk patterns A and B. For half of the stress factors examined (23/46), the data were significantly different among the AVEM groups. Individuals with AVEM risk patterns have higher stress and lower recovery scores on the EBF and more physical, psychological, and social-communicative impairments shown using the KOEPS (all variables p < 0.001). Analyses showed moderate correlations among the AVEM dimensions (exceptions included striving for perfection, subjective importance of work, and work-related ambition), and the main scales of the EBF and KOEPS. Conclusion: Work-related patterns of behavior and experience are used to determine how stress is handled, and it is possible to distinguish between patterns that promote health and those that hazardous to it. Individuals with AVEM patterns that are a risk to their health experience high stress, low recovery, and increased physical, psychological, and social-communicative impairments. Health-promoting work-related behaviors can be used to counteract stress. Companies developing preventive health promotion measures should focus on individuals with AVEM patterns that are a risk to their health. Supplementary Information: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10049-022-01076-y) contains further tables and figures. The article and additional material are available at www.springermedizin.de. Please enter the title of the article in the search field. You will find the additional material under "Supplementary Information" at the article.

Analysis of Work Related Factors, Behavior, Well-Being Outcome, and Job Satisfaction of Workers of Emergency Medical Service: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The workloads of emergency medical service personnel (EMS) are varied. In the absence of recovery, health consequences can result. The aim of this review was to analyze the literature on the associations between psychosocial or physical work factors on one hand and the well-being outcomes and job satisfaction on the other hand. METHODS: A systematic literature review examining the workloads, behavior, and well-being of EMS including emergency physicians, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement for the reporting systematic reviews, was performed. The PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Psyndex, and Embase electronic databases were used. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were included. These were divided into studies that predominantly focused on the behavior (6), stress and strain (22), and well-being (5) of EMS. Only four studies also examined emergency physicians. The studies indicated a high prevalence of psychological and physical stress factors. Burnout and posttraumatic stress disorders have been the most studied consequences of mismatched stress. The health status variable performs better in conjunction with higher qualifications. Age is not a protective variable in some studies. CONCLUSIONS: EMS workloads are varied and must be assessed on an individual basis. Studies on emergency physicians are needed. Organizational and personal measures must become the focus of health promotion and prevention in the workplace.

[Drinking behavior at the beginning and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: results of a literature review]. / Entwicklung des Alkoholkonsums zu Beginn und während der ersten Wellen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie: Ergebnisse einer systematischen Literaturrecherche.

Background and objective: It is well known that alcohol consumption and abuse, as well as alcohol-induced problems, increase during difficult economic times. Previous studies showed increased alcohol consumption in the 2003 SARS outbreak in China. The review examines global changes in alcohol consumption under current SARS-CoV­2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic. Materials and methods: The databases PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science with a cut-off date of 11 January 2022 were used. An initial hit count of 791 publications was found. After reading the title and abstract, 62 texts were still eligible. After reviewing the full text, 40 studies were included in this review. Results: Study results were available from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Increases as well as reductions in alcohol consumption were shown. Studies examining multiple waves of the pandemic found that alcohol consumption increased with duration of the pandemic. Binge drinking played a large role in this. There were very large regional differences in the increase in alcohol consumption: from about 10% of respondents to > 45%. In most studies, alcohol consumption was about the same for 40-50% of respondents and decreased for 30-40%. Conclusions: Further study follow-ups under the continuing pandemic are relevant. Since the populations studied were predominantly of working age, occupational prevention measures of elevated stress levels for some of the respondents with increased alcohol consumption seem reasonable.

Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns Among Ambulance Service Personnel of Different Organizational Structures in Urban and Rural Regions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify work-related experience and behavior patterns among rescue workers in different urban and rural organizational structures. METHODS: The subjects included 276 paramedics from Germany (average age 39.3 ±â€Š8.04 years) in three groups (professional fire department, aid organization in urban or rural regions). Work-related behavior and experience patterns (AVEM) were examined. Influences of age, gender, professional qualifications, frequency of operation, and organization were analyzed. RESULTS: AVEM risk patterns were detectable in 44.3% of professional fire department personnel and in 20% of both aid organization groups. There were differences in the various AVEM dimensions. Age had a strong influence on the AVEM dimension work-related ambition. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for workplace health promotion and prevention measures, which are especially useful for employees in professional fire departments. Aid organizations in urban and rural regions should also attend to these measures.

How to achieve quality assurance, shared ethics and efficient teambuilding? Lessons learned from interprofessional collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Against the background of the current pandemic crisis, this case report presents the experiences made from interprofessional teamwork with group members from different medical qualification levels. Our objectives were to identify areas of shared knowledge regarding efficient collaboration; to improve effective teamwork based on mutual respect; to develop innovative teaching methods tailored to the needs of COVID-19 interprofessional response teams. Methods: Field notes from numerous team discussions and improvised internal training sessions were compiled into a checklist. Each author edited and revised the checklist and a consensus has been reached after an in-person discussion. Feedback from an academic expert in emergency services has been incorporated into the final version of the checklist. Results: Three main topics were identified: the need for quality-assured professional training, the clarification of role expectations including assigned responsibilities, opportunities to contribute and participate in the team building process, and the development of area-related ethical competence in the sense of shared moral public health literacy. Hence, we developed the following ad - hoc teaching methods: use of online teaching videos, practical exercises on intubation models and the collective development of an annotated, detailed checklist for all relevant work processes of the mobile corona unit based on everyday debriefings. Summary: The need for interprofessional team building in the context of the current health crisis provides a beneficial learning environment for all participants. We propose to conceptually refine this approach into a cross-professional, innovative method of teaching.