Page 199 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2024. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih / Health of Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press

Resilience and well-being among ambulance personnel:
A multidimensional qualitative approach

Benjamin Osmančević, Mirko Prosen
University of Primorska Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia

Introduction: Ambulance personnel face a multitude of challenges while on duty, in-
cluding exposure to stressful events and various factors within outpatient emergen-
cy medical service, which can significantly impact their health and overall well-being.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these challenges, the main objective of this
study was to explore potential solutions aimed at enhancing the well-being of ambu-
lance personnel from their perspective.
Methods: A qualitative, descriptive interpretative research design was used, involving
individual face-to-face and online interviews with ambulance personnel conducted be-
tween February and April 2022 in Croatia. The purposive sample included 26 ambu-
lance personnel. The data was analysed using a method of content analysis.
Results: Five main themes emerged from our data: (1) Mental health support systems;
(2) Ergonomic and physical health interventions; (3) Optimized shift scheduling and re-
covery strategies; (4) Lifestyle support and modifications; (5) Organizational strategies
for well-being. Ambulance personnel believe that introducing specific interventions
is necessary to improve their well-being, as outlined within the subthemes identified
for each topic. Among the proposed interventions are the implementation of men-
tal health support and counselling services, stress management workshops, and resil- posterji | poster presentations
ience training to address mental health concerns, alongside ergonomic adjustments in
ambulances, physical fitness programs, and injury prevention training. Furthermore,
ambulance personnel emphasize the importance of optimized shift scheduling, sleep
hygiene education, and rest and recovery protocols to mitigate the detrimental effects
of long and irregular work hours on their overall well-being. They also advocate for nu-
tritional guidance, fitness programs, and the establishment of social support networks
to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Moreover, they highlight the significance of en-
hanced organizational policies, health promotion programs, and resources dedicated
to well-being within their workplace environment.
Discussion and conclusions: The findings underscore the significant impact of long-term
work in emergency medical services on the well-being of ambulance personnel. More-
over, they highlight the importance of shifting the focus from problem identification
to implementing proactive measures aimed to supporting resilience and well-being
of ambulance personnel. In conclusion, this study emphasized the need for proactive
measures to address the well-being of ambulance personnel. By prioritizing the imple-
mentation of solutions identified through this research, organizations can better sup-
port the resilience and overall well-being of their employees, ultimately fostering a
healthier and more sustainable work environment.
Keywords: Emergency medical services, health promotion, occupational health

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