Subjective perceptions of workload and stress of emergency service personnel depending on work-related behavior and experience patterns

Abstract

Purpose Stressors due to the workload in the ambulance service are numerous and can be positively counteracted by work-related behaviors and experiences. We analyzed the subjective perceptions of workload and stress as a function of work-related behavior and experience patterns among emergency service personnel (EMP). Methods A total of 276 EMP (94.6% men) participated (average age: 39.3 ± 8.04 years). Data on the stress situations of ambulance service staff according to the Slesina questionnaire, the Recovery–Stress Questionnaire (EBF), and the Questionnaire for Physical, Psychological and Social Symptoms (KOEPS) were obtained. Participants were classified into four patterns (A, B, G, and S) based on the Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns (AVEM) questionnaire. Results Overall, 32% of EMP were classified into AVEM risk patterns A and B. For half of the stress factors examined (23/46), the data were significantly different among the AVEM groups. Individuals with AVEM risk patterns have higher stress and lower recovery scores on the EBF and more physical, psychological, and social-communicative impairments shown using the KOEPS (all variables p < 0.001). Analyses showed moderate correlations among the AVEM dimensions (exceptions included striving for perfection, subjective importance of work, and work-related ambition), and the main scales of the EBF and KOEPS. Conclusion Work-related patterns of behavior and experience are used to determine how stress is handled, and it is possible to distinguish between patterns that promote health and those that hazardous to it. Individuals with AVEM patterns that are a risk to their health experience high stress, low recovery, and increased physical, psychological, and social-communicative impairments. Health-promoting work-related behaviors can be used to counteract stress. Companies developing preventive health promotion measures should focus on individuals with AVEM patterns that are a risk to their health.

Effect of Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns on Sleep Quality in Emergency Medical Service Personnel

“…"Distancing ability," "proactive problem solving," "inner calm and balance," and the "experience of success at work" was significantly negatively associated with physical impairment. 5 "Inner calm and balance," "experience of success of work," "satisfaction with life," and "experience of social support" were negatively linked to mental impairment and social-communicative impairment. 5 The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the work-related behavior and experience pattern on sleep characteristics.…”

“…Multiple studies assessed work-related behavior and experience patterns in different professions 25,27,35–40 . They showed an expression of risk pattern with 42% in female teachers, 5 65% in university lectures, 5 34% in police officers, 27 38% in prison officers, 27 40% in physicians (mainly working in hospital settings), 27 39% to 43% in physicians working in private practice (surveyed in 2008 and 2010), 37 47% in psychotherapy trainees, 25 41% in nurses in the hospital setting, 38 69% in medical students, 39 and 34% in employees of international financial services company 40 . Some of these studies have used the long form of the AVEM with 66 items.…”

“…Compared with a group of students, EMSP used these strategies regularly to reduce stress and prevent emotional exhaustion 49 . The AVEM also assesses this kind of behavior in the dimension “distancing ability.” Thielmann et al 5 examined the influence of the AVEM dimensions on physical mental and social-communicative impairment and stated that pattern A and B showed a higher impairment. “Distancing ability,” “proactive problem solving,” “inner calm and balance,” and the “experience of success at work” was significantly negatively associated with physical impairment 5 .…”

“…High values in the dimensions “subjective importance of work,” “work-related ambition,” “willingness to work until exhausted,” “striving for perfection,” and “proactive problem solving” are present in patterns A and G. These qualities could be one of many influencing factors on the decision for an individual to choose working in urban rather than rural stations. Multiple studies examined the influence of different psychological profiles, character traits, and behavioral traits on different aspects of perceived exhaustion, workload, and strain but only few research is done in the field of EMS 5,49 . Völker and Flohr-Devaud 49 investigated the influence of emotional reactivity and empathy on chronical stress.…”

“…The AVEM was constructed by Schaarschmidt and Fischer 24 to examine health-promoting and health-hazardous behaviors and experience patterns displayed during work 5,24 . It can be used to identify health risks to suggest preventative measures 24 .…”