Burnout in frontline ambulance staff (30 December 2021)

Summary

Staff retention is a significant issue for ambulance services across the globe. Exploratory research, although minimal, indicates that stress and burnout, in particular, influence attrition within the paramedic profession. These need to be understood if their impact on retention is to be addressed.

Content

This study from Rachel Beldon and Joanne Garside looked at the contributory factors for burnout in the ambulance service to inform recommendations for positive change.

94% of ambulance staff in this study reported a sense of personal achievement within their professional role; however, more than 50% were experiencing varying levels of burnout with 87% displaying moderate or high levels of depersonalisation towards their work.

Causes of stress were complex: themes attributed were a perceived lack of management support, the public's misuse of the ambulance service, involuntary overtime and a poor work-life balance.

Burnout poses a genuine threat to retention in the ambulance service and needs addressing. Proactive screening, better communication between practice staff and management and access to counselling services are recommended. This problem of burnout is beginning to be acknowledged but further evidence is needed to understand it in more depth in order for effective solutions to be developed.