We tried to measure anxiety levels in emergency medical service (EMS) provi
ders to determine the effects of (1) having had a violent encounter during
a shift and (2) different shift schedules, conducting a prospective observa
tional study over 3 months in an urban EMS system setting. A convenience sa
mple of 23 EMTs and 40 EMT-Ps was observed, Anxiety levels were measured us
ing the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory, A total of 99 inventorie
s were completed by 63 EMS providers. The mean state (32.6 +/- 8) and trait
(31.7 +/- 7.1) scores were less than normative scores (35.7 +/- 10.4 and 3
4.9 +/- 9.2 respectively) for working adult males (P = .004 and .007, respe
ctively). Paramedics had lower anxiety scores than basic EMTs (P = .015 and
.039) and years of experience also decreased anxiety scores (P < .0001). T
here was no significant difference in state scores between those EMS provid
ers who had encountered violence during the preceding 12 hours and those pr
oviders who had not, Comparisons of state scores of providers assessed at h
our 12 of a 12 hour shift, hour 12 of a 24 hour shift, and hour 24 of a 24
hour shift failed to show any significant differences. Although the working
environment of the EMS provider contains numerous stressors and uncertaint
ies, this population of providers were no more anxious than the general wor
king public. Advanced training and years of experience decreased anxiety. V
iolent encounters during a shift did not appear to affect anxiety levels, T
here was no difference in anxiety levels in providers who worked 12 and 24
hour shifts. (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.