Presentation
CANCELED - Mental Health Safety Challenges in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Service Providers: A Scoping Review
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionPre-hospital emergency medical service (EMS) providers face persistent mental health challenges due to repeated exposure to trauma, irregular work hours, and high-pressure environments. These factors contribute to elevated rates of PTSD, burnout, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and suicidality—conditions that impair individual well-being and compromise workplace safety and patient care. This scoping review synthesized findings from 57 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024 to identify key mental health risks and intervention gaps among EMS professionals. Guided by PRISMA and evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, studies were grouped into six thematic areas: PTSD, burnout, occupational stress, depression/anxiety, suicidality, and other related challenges. PTSD was the most frequently studied, with contributing factors including sleep disorders, emotional dysregulation, and lack of social support. Burnout and stress were strongly linked to workplace violence, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and organizational pressures. Sleep deficits emerged as a consistent risk factor across all domains. Protective factors included peer support, resilience, and mental health literacy. Despite the existence of support programs like Critical Incident Stress Management, gaps remain in implementation and effectiveness. Future research must evaluate longitudinal trends, address barriers to care, and explore innovative tools such as AI-driven mental health monitoring to improve EMS workforce safety.
Event Type
Poster
TimeTuesday, October 14th5:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
LocationRiverside East
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