Research code: 2825
Ethics code: IR.MUQ.REC.1401.201
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Shahbazpour J, Ghanbari-Afra L, Taheri L, Ghanbari-Afra M. Occupational Stress of Pre-hospital Emergency Staff in Qom University of Medical Sciences, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study. Qom Univ Med Sci J 2024; 18 : 949.11
URL: http://journal.muq.ac.ir/article-1-3813-en.html
URL: http://journal.muq.ac.ir/article-1-3813-en.html
1- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
2- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. ,ghanbari.afra91@yahoo.com
3- Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
4- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Shahid Beheshti -Amir al-Momenin Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
2- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. ,
3- Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
4- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Shahid Beheshti -Amir al-Momenin Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
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Introduction
Occupational stress is a mental and physical reaction that is used to describe work-related stress. High stress can lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and psychological disorders. Thus, there is high concern about occupational stress worldwide. Occupational stress has many consequences such as job burnout, reduced productivity, aggression, dissatisfaction with work, and leaving the job.
The pre-hospital emergency medicine is one of the most stressful professions. Pre-hospital emergency staff are prone to occupational stress due to witnessing deaths and terrible accidents during their missions, the stress of reaching the scene on time and providing care services, dealing with the aggressive behaviors of the patients’ companions, low number of staff in the scene, the stress of transporting the patient safely to the treatment centers, encountering patients with infectious diseases, and complaints,
So far, no study has been conducted to assess the occupational stress of pre-hospital emergency staff in Qom Province of Iran in the post-COVID era. Few studies have been conducted on nurses. Considering the negative impact of occupational stress on the health of people and the importance of pre-hospital emergency staff health in providing quality service delivery, the present study aims to investigate the occupational stress of pre-hospital emergency staff in the post-COVID era in Qom Province.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 pre-hospital emergency staff of hospitals affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Sampling was done using a convenience method. Inclusion criteria were at least an associate degree, at least 6 months of operational work experience in the pre-hospital emergency, and no history of physical and mental illnesses. Exclusion criteria were unwillingness to continue cooperation, the occurrence of psychiatric diseases, and moving to another city.
The data collection tools were a sociodemographic checklist and the health and safety executive (HSE) stress questionnaire. Data analysis was done in SPSS software, version 23. Based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test results, the data distribution for the dependent variable (occupational stress) was normal. Descriptive tests were used to report variables. Independent t-test was used to examine the difference in occupational stress score based on demographic variables. To investigate the relationship of sociodemographic variables (age, educational level, work experience, overtime hours worked, employment status, having a 2nd job, and having a job other than occupational therapy) with occupational stress, linear regression analysis was used. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results
More than half of the participants had a bachelor's degree. Most of them had rotating shifts. The mean occupational stress score was 112.5±13.4 (ranged 35-175). The highest occupational stress score was related to the role domain. Based on the results of multivariate regression analysis, the variables of educational level, employment status, type of work shift, and having a 2nd job explained about 35% of the variance in occupational stress (R=0.596, R2=0.355, P=0.001). The occupational stress of those with apprenticeship employment status, a degree higher than master’s degree, a rotating shift and those with a 2nd job was higher.
Conclusion
According to the findings of the present study, the occupational stress of pre-hospital emergency staff in Qom was at a moderate level in the post-COVID era. Therefore, it is recommended that more psychological, educational, and communication support and interventions be provided to pre-hospital staff of Qom Province and that regular physical and psychological evaluations be conducted to facilitate early intervention. Also, to improve the mental and emotional state of pre-hospital emergency staff, it is recommended to determine their work schedule and missions in such a way that they have more time to rest and communicate with their families.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study has received a code of ethics from Qom University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUQ.REC.1401.201).
Funding
This article was extracted from a research project funded by Vice President of Research and Technology, Qom University of Medical Sciences.
Authors contributions
All authors contributed equally to preparing this article.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Occupational stress is a mental and physical reaction that is used to describe work-related stress. High stress can lead to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and psychological disorders. Thus, there is high concern about occupational stress worldwide. Occupational stress has many consequences such as job burnout, reduced productivity, aggression, dissatisfaction with work, and leaving the job.
The pre-hospital emergency medicine is one of the most stressful professions. Pre-hospital emergency staff are prone to occupational stress due to witnessing deaths and terrible accidents during their missions, the stress of reaching the scene on time and providing care services, dealing with the aggressive behaviors of the patients’ companions, low number of staff in the scene, the stress of transporting the patient safely to the treatment centers, encountering patients with infectious diseases, and complaints,
So far, no study has been conducted to assess the occupational stress of pre-hospital emergency staff in Qom Province of Iran in the post-COVID era. Few studies have been conducted on nurses. Considering the negative impact of occupational stress on the health of people and the importance of pre-hospital emergency staff health in providing quality service delivery, the present study aims to investigate the occupational stress of pre-hospital emergency staff in the post-COVID era in Qom Province.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 pre-hospital emergency staff of hospitals affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Sampling was done using a convenience method. Inclusion criteria were at least an associate degree, at least 6 months of operational work experience in the pre-hospital emergency, and no history of physical and mental illnesses. Exclusion criteria were unwillingness to continue cooperation, the occurrence of psychiatric diseases, and moving to another city.
The data collection tools were a sociodemographic checklist and the health and safety executive (HSE) stress questionnaire. Data analysis was done in SPSS software, version 23. Based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test results, the data distribution for the dependent variable (occupational stress) was normal. Descriptive tests were used to report variables. Independent t-test was used to examine the difference in occupational stress score based on demographic variables. To investigate the relationship of sociodemographic variables (age, educational level, work experience, overtime hours worked, employment status, having a 2nd job, and having a job other than occupational therapy) with occupational stress, linear regression analysis was used. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results
More than half of the participants had a bachelor's degree. Most of them had rotating shifts. The mean occupational stress score was 112.5±13.4 (ranged 35-175). The highest occupational stress score was related to the role domain. Based on the results of multivariate regression analysis, the variables of educational level, employment status, type of work shift, and having a 2nd job explained about 35% of the variance in occupational stress (R=0.596, R2=0.355, P=0.001). The occupational stress of those with apprenticeship employment status, a degree higher than master’s degree, a rotating shift and those with a 2nd job was higher.
Conclusion
According to the findings of the present study, the occupational stress of pre-hospital emergency staff in Qom was at a moderate level in the post-COVID era. Therefore, it is recommended that more psychological, educational, and communication support and interventions be provided to pre-hospital staff of Qom Province and that regular physical and psychological evaluations be conducted to facilitate early intervention. Also, to improve the mental and emotional state of pre-hospital emergency staff, it is recommended to determine their work schedule and missions in such a way that they have more time to rest and communicate with their families.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study has received a code of ethics from Qom University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUQ.REC.1401.201).
Funding
This article was extracted from a research project funded by Vice President of Research and Technology, Qom University of Medical Sciences.
Authors contributions
All authors contributed equally to preparing this article.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
پرستاری-جراحی-ویژه-کودکان
Received: 2023/09/10 | Accepted: 2023/11/6 | Published: 2024/04/29
Received: 2023/09/10 | Accepted: 2023/11/6 | Published: 2024/04/29
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