Exploring the Preparedness of Student Paramedics for the Mental Health Challenges of the Paramedic Profession

• Published in: Prehospital and disaster medicine Vol. 34; no. s1; p. s83
• Main Author: Holmes, Lisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.05.2019; Jems Publishing Company, Inc
• Subjects: Careers; Curricula; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Mental disorders; Mental health care; Paramedics; Post traumatic stress disorder; Students; Students in Disasters; Suicide
• ISSN: 1049-023X; 1945-1938
• DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X19001742

Introduction: The mental health challenges encountered by paramedics have received much attention in recent years. This attention has particularly focused on high rates of stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This heightened awareness of the high incidence of mental illness, which has at times tragically resulted in the suicide of serving and former paramedics, is stimulating the address of mental health within the paramedic profession. It is now time to call on paramedic educators to prepare student paramedics for the mental health challenges associated with a career in the emergency medical services. Aim: To explore the preparedness of student paramedics for the mental health challenges of the paramedic profession and identify the coping strategies used by veteran paramedics to successfully meet these challenges. Methods: Twenty semi-structured interviews with veteran paramedics from Australia and New Zealand were conducted. Results: Advice from veteran paramedics was comprised of three key themes: support, health, and the profession. Discussion: The findings of the study indicate that the preparation of student paramedics for the mental health challenges of the paramedic profession throughout the undergraduate curriculum could be advantageous. The advice offered by veteran paramedics can be included within undergraduate paramedic curricula and delivered by sharing the personal experiences of the veteran paramedics. These experiences are highly credible and sharing them offers an opportunity for veterans to contribute positively to the future of paramedicine. Guidelines for their inclusion in the undergraduate paramedic curriculum should be prepared to facilitate knowledge translation and to encourage the development of conscious coping strategies by student paramedics during their learning phase. Further research is needed to raise awareness in this area, with a specific focus on preparing paramedic students to cope with mental health challenges related to undergraduate degree programs, and how they feel about commencing their career as a paramedic.