{"title":"Healing the ‘cultural chasm’","authors":"Darren Leech","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2024.16.1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2024.16.1.5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"43 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139390583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Psychological vulnerability and suicidality within the ambulance service: a review","authors":"Sophie Faulkner","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.12.506","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.12.506","url":null,"abstract":"Paramedics must be physically and mentally robust to seamlessly adapt between emergencies and disasters. Developing evidence suggests that ambulance colleagues may be at higher risk of suicide; yet few studies explore causal factors and effective interventions. Mental distress, illness and associated physical symptoms of emotional injury, have long been the subject of global systematic review; however, an inadequate understanding of the cumulative anguish leading to suicidality remains. Research has shown that occupational and organisational burdens, such as shift work and extensive hours, have a significant detrimental impact upon staff welfare. Individual responses to the multifaceted work nature and subsequent influences on distress have been found to create a ‘perfect storm’ for emotional vulnerability. Inherent camaraderie and stoicism have prevented openness, and therefore stalled the improvement of psychiatric support systems. Suicidality discussions can be neglected, subsequent to mental health stigmatisms, and the absence of data reduces accurate findings, therefore underestimating the current concern. Ambulance trusts must develop policy and procedure to protect staff, lower the incidence of mental fatigue and reduce suicide. Having dedicated their lives to public safety, paramedics require robust programmes designed to protect their physical and mental welfare. These must be endorsed at the highest level, ensuring confidence and trust from the diverse workforce.","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"6 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138985506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mitigation of risk, effective communication and scene management of major incidents","authors":"Scott Rees","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.10.cpd1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.10.cpd1","url":null,"abstract":"Communication and collaborative working between emergency services at the scene of a major incident are paramount to gain the best outcome for patients and the wider public. This module aims to improve knowledge around joint emergency service interoperability principle (JESIP) and the importance of interoperable working between agencies, the various roles involved and the fundamental guidelines of risk assessment, safety, and management of a hazardous scene.","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"309 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139324826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anthony Haley, Iain Gibson, Christine Graham, Iain Guthrie, Dominique Newins
{"title":"The effect of ambient outside temperatures on scoop stretchers","authors":"Anthony Haley, Iain Gibson, Christine Graham, Iain Guthrie, Dominique Newins","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.338","url":null,"abstract":"Scoop stretchers are commonly used in the prehospital care of trauma patients. Patients' clothing is often removed early in the care pathway. There may be unidentified risks if scoop stretchers are particularly cold. The primary aim of this research was to establish if there is a positive correlation between scoop temperatures and outside temperatures when this equipment is stored without access to vehicle heating. The authors recruited volunteers at ambulance locations across Scotland to measure scoop temperatures using infrared thermometers. These were compared to outside temperatures at that time. Data were subject to bivariate quantitative analysis to assess correlation strength. Results demonstrated that there was a moderate-to-strong correlation between scoop temperatures and outside temperatures (mean +3.0°C; P<0.001). There was no significant difference for other variables measured. Without active heating, scoop stretchers will be only marginally warmer than the outside temperature, sometimes colder than the outside temperature and sometimes below freezing point.","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"95 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125238988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Raised levels of depression and PTSD in ambulance staff: causes and solutions","authors":"Louise Crawford-Clark","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.322","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.322","url":null,"abstract":"Ambulance staff are reported to have higher levels of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), than the general population. Vicarious trauma has been attributed to the increased prevalence of depression and PTSD in ambulance service staff. This literature review explores the causes of the greater prevalence of PTSD and discusses interventions to lower these high rates. A literature review was carried out and four relevant studies were selected. A critical appraisal tool was then used to produce a systematic analysis. PTSD in the ambulance service is up to 10 times greater than in the general public, higher than in both the police and fire services and equal to that in the military. The cause of this higher prevalence of PTSD lies not only in vicarious trauma but also in the toll of shift work and in biological predisposition. There is a paucity of research on PTSD in ambulance staff; research is needed into post-exposure treatments as well as into pre-exposure interventions.","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"161 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129274774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"On reflective practice","authors":"Derek Ford","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.346","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.346","url":null,"abstract":"Derek Ford shares his experiences of reflective practice and why he now advocates for it","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"304 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121464211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julian Hunt, J. Gammon, Sharon Williams, P. Holland, Tse Leng Tham, I. Humphreys
{"title":"Contemporary portrait of the working lives of ambulance services staff in Wales","authors":"Julian Hunt, J. Gammon, Sharon Williams, P. Holland, Tse Leng Tham, I. Humphreys","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.315","url":null,"abstract":"Ambulance services staff are under more pressure than ever. Inadequate numbers face unmanageable workloads. For the first time in more than three decades, these employees in England and Wales have taken industrial action over wages and working conditions. This study aimed to understand the wellbeing and working environment of ambulance services staff in Wales. An online survey of 594 ambulance services staff was carried out. Data were analysed using standard quantitative and qualitative research methods. Key factors impacting wellbeing include work intensification, burnout and a lack of trust in management, which were increasing intentions to leave the profession. Ambulance services in Wales are reaching a critical tipping point. If the issues raised in this study are not addressed, the outcome will most likely be an accelerating departure from the profession of highly skilled people who are expensive and difficult to replace.","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122196523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ECG case series for paramedics: August 2023","authors":"C. Bloe","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.314","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.314","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130878415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Spotlight on Research","authors":"Imogen Cook, P. Gregory","doi":"10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.348","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/jpar.2023.15.8.348","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":136781,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Paramedic Practice","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114384174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}