Conference presentation
Resilience, posttraumatic growth and well-being in Queensland ambulance paramedics
2009 University Research Conference Program Book, p.10
USC Research Conference, 2009 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Nov-2009)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2009
Abstract
Paramedics unfortunately suffer from high rates of psychopathology, burnout, and attrition due to the frequent exposure to traumatic events. This investigation will firstly attempt to determine if resilience is associated with being a QAS paramedic. Specifically, this invest igation will analyse whether levels of resilience differ between paramedical students and qualified QAS paramedics. Additionally, this investigation will determine if posttraumatic growth (which has been found to operate in QAS paramedics), and resilience are positively correlated, whereby PTG may be a developmental process which facilitates resilience in paramedics. Resilience will additionally be correlated with general health and wel I being, with an aim of to demonstrating the further importance of resilience as a buffer against the potential psychopathology of traumatic exposures. Currently, little in the way of resilience training or education takes place for USC paramedical students or paramedics, despite recent calls from medical professionals for resilience training, and the potential negative affects associated with traumatic exposures. If resilience is part of the profile of a paramedic, interventions aimed to educate and develop resiliencein paramedical students and qualified paramedic's is necessary, and well justified. A total of 217 male and female participants aged between 18 to 61 voulunteered to complete a crosssectional survey design questionnaires. The sample comprised of 144 QLD paramedics from ambulance stations located from Brisbane to Pomona in the north of the Sunshine Coast, as well as 73 first and second year paramedical students form the USC Bachelor of Paramedical Science program. The key tenant of this investigation being, that if resilience levels between students and qualified paramedics do significantly differ, and resilience is positively associated with well-being, then clearly, there is a just ification and an obligation to increase resiliency training for paramedics to enhance their wellbeing. Enhancing well-being would not only confer positives for the individual paramedic in terms of quality of life, but there would also be positive tangible outcomes for the associated paramedical association; potentially saving millions of tax payer dollars attributed to lost work hours, burnout, and attrition.
Details
- Title
- Resilience, posttraumatic growth and well-being in Queensland ambulance paramedics
- Authors
- Scott Gayton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- 2009 University Research Conference Program Book, p.10
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2009 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Nov-2009)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2009
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449294002621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
Metrics
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