Paramedics are repeatedly exposed to critical incidents. Critical incidents are events involving death, life-threatening injury, a crisis situation with a need for rescue or emergency that may result in stress-related reactions and the development of PTSD. Statistics show “paramedics have the highest incidence of PTSD, higher than police or firefighters (McFarlane, Williamson, & Barton, 2009), reporting that up to 22%, or more than one fifth, of paramedics will develop PTSD (Bennett et al., 2005; Clohessy & Ehlers, 1999). These statistics show that PTSD represents a significant health issue among this group. As a result of repeated exposure to critical incidents and poor coping mechanisms, they become prone to negative implications on their
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Among these methods, the most efficient intervention for treating and preventing paramedics with PTSD is the expansion on the socioenvironmental method. Social support systems are crucial to the health and prevention of PTSD in paramedics because paramedics are typically reluctant to seek help for themselves. For this reason, occupational health nurses can facilitate a sustainable change in the socioenvironment of paramedics. By working with paramedics and advocating for their health with managers, job exposure to traumatic events can be reduced, a supportive work environment among peers can be created, and the expression of emotions can be normalized. This approach encourages occupational health nurses to advocate for both the physical and mental well-being of these rescuers, with appropriate care for mental health concerns, facilitating a shift towards the acceptance of social support and emotional expression (Drewitz-Chesney, 2012). Creating a supportive environment begins by focusing on the broad socioenvironmental cultural challenges of the organization and initiating change from within the trauma membrane (Drewitz-Chesney, 2012). Occupational health nurses can encourage employers to pay attention to the needs of paramedics and promote health in the workplace by facilitating “. . . living and working conditions that are safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable”(Drewitz-Chesney,
Among these methods, the most efficient intervention for treating and preventing paramedics with PTSD is the expansion on the socioenvironmental method. Social support systems are crucial to the health and prevention of PTSD in paramedics because paramedics are typically reluctant to seek help for themselves. For this reason, occupational health nurses can facilitate a sustainable change in the socioenvironment of paramedics. By working with paramedics and advocating for their health with managers, job exposure to traumatic events can be reduced, a supportive work environment among peers can be created, and the expression of emotions can be normalized. This approach encourages occupational health nurses to advocate for both the physical and mental well-being of these rescuers, with appropriate care for mental health concerns, facilitating a shift towards the acceptance of social support and emotional expression (Drewitz-Chesney, 2012). Creating a supportive environment begins by focusing on the broad socioenvironmental cultural challenges of the organization and initiating change from within the trauma membrane (Drewitz-Chesney, 2012). Occupational health nurses can encourage employers to pay attention to the needs of paramedics and promote health in the workplace by facilitating “. . . living and working conditions that are safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable”(Drewitz-Chesney,