EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN SCHEDULE MODIFICATION - IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS DURING SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

Objective: To determine whether modifying work schedules from 24- to 1 2-hour shifts results in favorable improvements across a range of psyc hological and social variables among emergency medical technicians (EM Ts). Method: Sequential (before and after) surveys were completed volu ntarily by EMTs at 1 month prior to, 2 months after, and 1 year after a workshift modification (change from 24- to 12-hour shifts), The surv eys assessed job satisfaction, occupational burnout, and attitudes tow ard work schedules, The questionnaires were completed at emergency med ical service stations, Results: Of 70 EMTs in the system, 51 (73%) com pleted the first 2 stages of this study; 35 (50%) completed all 3 stag es. Paired-sample t-tests revealed significant differences between bas eline and 2-month posttest scores on the following variables: the Masl ach Burnout Inventory: Emotional Exhaustion Scale (less perceived exha ustion at 2 months); the Schedule Attitudes Survey: General Affect (pe rceived more positive view toward schedule at 2 months); Social/Family Impact (perceived less disruption of social/family life at 2 months); and Composite (less overall disruption in quality of life at 2 months ). Statistically significant differences between baseline and 1-year p osttest scores were found on the following: Schedule Attitudes Survey: General Affect (more positive view toward schedule at 1 year); Social /Family Impact (less disruption in social/family life at 1 year); and Composite (less overall disruption in quality of life at 1 year), Conc lusion: Modifying EMTs' work schedules from 24- to 12-hour shifts was associated with improvements in EMTs' general attitudes toward their s chedules, less disruption of social and family life, and decreased lev els of emotional exhaustion at 2 months after the change. While the im provements in EMTs' attitudes toward their schedules persisted at the 1-year follow-up, the measure of emotional exhaustion returned to base line.