Paramedics’ Experiences and Coping Strategies When Encountering Critical Incidents

Paramedics frequently encounter critical incidents (CIs). Their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to these encounters present them with a variety of difficulties on the way to, during, and after events. The aim of our study was to examine how paramedics working in a large emergency serv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative health research 2014-02, Vol.24 (2), p.194-208
Main Authors: Avraham, Nira, Goldblatt, Hadass, Yafe, Eli
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Allied Health Personnel - psychology
Coping strategies
Critical incidents
Emergency services
Female
Health technology assessment
Humans
Internal-External Control
Interviews as Topic
Israel
Male
Middle Aged
Negative emotions
Paramedics
Post traumatic stress disorder
Qualitative Research
Stress, Psychological - psychology
Terminal illnesses
Workplace - psychology
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Summary:Paramedics frequently encounter critical incidents (CIs). Their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to these encounters present them with a variety of difficulties on the way to, during, and after events. The aim of our study was to examine how paramedics working in a large emergency service organization in Israel experienced CIs and the coping strategies they used to deal with these experiences. We interviewed 15 paramedics from this organization. Through data analysis, we revealed two main themes: (1) between connection and detachment and (2) between control and lack of control of the situation. Paramedics, who connected with their feelings regarding the patient and/or the family in different CIs, as well as those who sensed a lack of control, experienced difficult and negative emotions. To achieve detachment, they used a variety of coping strategies. Those who experienced cognitive and functional control of the situation reported a positive and empowering experience.
ISSN:1049-7323
1552-7557
DOI:10.1177/1049732313519867