Preliminary Data Analysis – Interview 1

Research Question: How does stress affect the operation of paramedics?

Methodological notes Transcript 1 Preliminary Data Analysis

Questions well answered

Respondent does not mainly identify factors directly related to the health unit. More focused on Stress with regard to Saudi Arabia. Interviewer: Tell me a little about your work as a paramedic prior to study in Australia, Like, how many years did you work?

Int 001: Prior to my study in Australia, I worked as a paramedic in Saudi Arabia, which is my native country. I worked as a paramedic based in ambulances within the Saudi capital of Riyadh for seven years.

Interviewer: Do you have any speciality?

Int 001: Within the environment I worked, we normally responded to minimal emergency cases offering limited services in emergency situations.

Interviewer: What was the most positive aspect of working as a paramedic in Saudi Arabia?

Int 001: The training offered to paramedics in Saudi Arabia remains the most positive aspect of working as a paramedic within the country. This training has significantly improved my working capability as a paramedic and offered me an opportunity to enjoy being a paramedic. Though the job has many challenges, training has significantly improved my capacity to handle the various challenges I face during my working period.

Interviewer: What do you see as the main causes of stress for Saudi paramedics?

Int 001: There are many stressing factors while working as a paramedic in Saudi Arabia. The cities are normally characterized with constant traffic congestions, which prevent paramedics from reaching their destinations quickly. During emergency response like ambulances, failure to reach patients in time could be seen as inefficiency of paramedics. The delays resulting from traffic congestion stresses paramedics greatly. Another stressing factor, applying to accident scenes, is the presence of crowds of people on accident scenes. These individuals make it difficult for paramedics to reach the people requiring medical assistance.

Interviewer: How do these stressors effect the operation (efficiency) of paramedics? What effect do they have on your morale and sick leave days?

Int 001: When paramedics encounter these stressing factors, pressure normally increases on their side in offering sufficient services. Delays caused by traffic congestion, could reduce the time available for paramedics to attend to emergency calls. This might mean the paramedics work quickly and efficiency of their services could become compromised. Working under strict time deadlines within the profession becomes dangerous and the paramedics become prone to errors. The morale of paramedics working under these circumstances becomes immensely reduced because of the pressure and limited time available for attending patient. This remains so because paramedics remain aware of consequences which might follow erroneous operation. The paramedics can be held responsible if patient suffer damage as a result of delayed response.

Interviewer: What could the administration or management at the various Emergency Centers do to lower the levels of stress experienced and to deal with their resultant effects?

Int 001: The administration at various emergency centers should seek to change the methods applied in estimating the time required to make an emergency call response. Consideration should be undertaken based on various regions in order to cater for delays resulting from traffic congestion within city roads. The administration should seek to establish a government sponsored program aimed at informing the population about the necessary steps to take in accident scenes. With increased knowledge, people would not crowd around accident scenes in order to see paramedics perform their duties.

Interviewer: Has your study in Australia helped with how you can manage stress when you return to paramedic practice?

Int 001: Studying in Australia has offered me with efficient information regarding management of the stressing factors, upon returning to paramedic practice. The study has significantly improved my capacity to remain focused on delivering essential services and effectively minimizing the influence of external factors like crowds. The study has significantly enhanced my understanding that crowds must always be there as they are the people who normally call for assistance under these situation. This study has also enlightened me with the knowledge that these factors are also available in other counties, and their management could surmount to successful paramedic career.

Has previous paramedic experience before current study

No specialization

Stress among paramedics

External factors

Limited time to meet strict deadlines.

Increased workload and fatigue

Reduced morale and motivation to work

Role of the administration in reducing stress levels

Effective communication channel as a possible solution.

Public Education

Paramedic study in Australia is beneficial in reducing stress levels among paramedics.