Anxiety levels in EMS providers: Effects of violence and shift schedules

Citation
Ef. Mock et al., Anxiety levels in EMS providers: Effects of violence and shift schedules, AM J EMER M, 17(6), 1999, pp. 509-511
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Aneshtesia & Intensive Care
Journal title
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
ISSN journal
07356757 → ACNP
Volume
17
Issue
6
Year of publication
1999
Pages
509 - 511
Database
ISI
SICI code
0735-6757(199910)17:6<509:ALIEPE>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
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.