Barriers to, and enablers of, paramedics responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: An integrative review

Howarth, Ursula; Zimmerman, Peta-Anne; Mortel, Thea van de; Barr, Nigel

doi:10.1016/j.auec.2022.08.001

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Inconsistencies and lack of communication regarding different procedures, caused frustration, delays, and unnecessary exposure to infectious patients. This experience was confirmed in recent studies [ 5 , 7 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learnt from other healthcare settings about processes of care and behaviours during disaster and emergency responses were applied to the prehospital environment [ 3 , 4 ]. A recent review [ 5 ] found only nine studies that included the paramedic experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, with various foci, including leadership strategies, psychological/social wellbeing or resilience, attitudes and stressors, and knowledge and preparedness; while including two Australian studies [ 6 , 7 ], none focused specifically on the experiences of paramedics in attending suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases to examine the barriers to, and enablers of, responding to those cases. Exploring paramedics’ experience of responding under COVID-19 specific conditions may provide insights into how to increase the willingness of paramedics to respond during future public health emergencies to ensure uninterrupted ambulance service access and delivery.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Paramedics’ experiences of barriers to, and enablers of, responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: a qualitative study

Howarth,

Zimmerman,

van de Mortel

et al. 2024

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Paramedics’ work, even pre-pandemic, can be confronting and dangerous. As pandemics add extra stressors, the study explored paramedics’ lived experience of the barriers to, and enablers of, responding to suspected or confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Methods This exploratory-descriptive qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to investigate Queensland metropolitan paramedics’ experiences of responding to cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Registered Paramedics were recruited by criterion sampling of staff who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic as active officers. Results Nine registered paramedics participated. Five themes emerged: communication, fear and risk, work-related protective factors, leadership, and change. Unique barriers included impacts on effective communication due to the mobile nature of paramedicine, inconsistent policies/procedures between different healthcare facilities, dispatch of incorrect information to paramedics, assisting people to navigate the changing healthcare system, and wearing personal protective equipment in hot, humid environments. A lower perceived risk from COVID-19, and increased empathy after recovering from COVID-19 were unique enablers. Conclusions This study uncovered barriers and enablers to attending suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases unique to paramedicine, often stemming from the mobile nature of prehospital care, and identifies the need for further research in paramedicine post-pandemic to better understand how paramedics can be supported during public health emergencies to ensure uninterrupted ambulance service delivery.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paramedics’ experiences of barriers to, and enablers of, responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: a qualitative study

Howarth,

Zimmerman,

van de Mortel

et al. 2024

BMC Health Serv Res

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Studies have reported high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among healthcare workers, including EMTs. Factors contributing to the high levels of stress include the fear of contracting the virus, concerns for family and friends, a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and an increased workload ( 2 , 3 ). The pandemic has also led to the adoption of new work practices and policies, which have resulted in additional stressors for EMTs ( 2 , 4 , 5 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring coping strategies of emergency medical technicians against COVID-19 stress: a qualitative study

et al. 2023

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IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to cause enormous psychological burden among health care workers, including first responders. However, the psychological well-being of first responders, essential in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, has often been ignored. This qualitative study aimed to explore the coping strategies used by EMTs to manage stress during the pandemic.MethodsThe research was designed as a qualitative study, utilizing a thematic analysis framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 EMTs from a single geographic area between September 2022 and December 2022. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke analytic techniques, and this study used Lincoln and Guba’s to assess the reliability of the data.ResultsFour main coping strategies emerged from the data: seeking social support, practicing self-care, utilizing coping mechanisms, and finding meaning and purpose in work. EMTs sought support from both professional and personal sources, engaged in physical and emotional self-care, used humor and distraction as coping mechanisms, and found meaning and purpose in helping others and growing as professionals.ConclusionBased on the extracted results from the study on EMTs in Iran, it can be concluded that the importance of social support cannot be overstated, as it serves as a crucial buffer against the negative effects of stress and trauma. The findings suggest that addressing the social and emotional needs of EMTs is important for promoting their mental health and well-being during the pandemic.

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Technology protocols and new health regulations for pandemic severity control: an S-O-R theoretical risk reduction approach

Ausaf

Yuan

Nasir

2023

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PurposeDeveloped countries control pandemics using smart decisions and processes based on medical standards and modern technologies. Studies on risk-reduction and humantechnology interaction are scarce. This study developed a model to examine the relationship between citizens, pandemic-related technology and official safety practices.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigated the mediating role of new health regulations and moderating role of safety incentives due to COVID-19 case reduction in pandemic severity control. This study included 407 operations managers, nursing staff conducting pandemic testing and reporting, doctors and security personnel in China. An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to check nonlinear regressions and model predictability.FindingsThe results demonstrated the impact of the introduction of new technology protocols on the implementation of new health regulations and aided pandemic severity control. The safety incentive of case reductions moderated the relationship between new health regulations and pandemic severity control. New health regulations mediated the relationship between the introduction of new technology protocols and pandemic severity control.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should be conducted on pandemic severity in diversely populated cities, particularly those that require safety measures and controls. Future studies should focus on cloud computing for nurses, busy campuses and communal living spaces.Social implicationsAuthorities should involve citizens in pandemic-related technical advances to reduce local viral transmission and infection. New health regulations improved people's interactions with new technological protocols and understanding of pandemic severity. Pandemic management authorities should work with medical and security employees.Originality/valueThis study is the first to demonstrate that a safety framework with technology-oriented techniques could reduce future pandemics using managerial initiatives.

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Barriers to, and enablers of, paramedics responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: An integrative review

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Paramedics’ experiences of barriers to, and enablers of, responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: a qualitative study

Paramedics’ experiences of barriers to, and enablers of, responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: a qualitative study

Exploring coping strategies of emergency medical technicians against COVID-19 stress: a qualitative study

Technology protocols and new health regulations for pandemic severity control: an S-O-R theoretical risk reduction approach

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