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Department of Mental Health, Medical School, University of Aberdeen and Centre for Trauma Research, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen, UK
Correspondence: Professor David A. Alexander, Department of Mental Health, Medical School, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK. E-mail: d.a.alexander{at}abdn.ac.uk
Declaration of interest Grant received from the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Office Home and Health Department.
Background The association between mental health and occupational factors among ambulance personnel has not been thoroughly investigated in the UK.
Aims To identify the prevalence of psychopathology among ambulance personnel and its relationship to personality and exposure to critical incidents.
Method Data were gathered from ambulance personnel by means of an anonymous questionnaire and standardised measures.
Results Approximately a third of the sample reported high levels of general psychopathology, burnout and posttraumatic symptoms. Burnout was associated with less job satisfaction, longer time in service, less recovery time between incidents, and more frequent exposure to incidents. Burnout and GHQ-28 caseness were more likely in those who had experienced a particularly disturbing incident in the previous 6 months. Concerns about confidentiality and career prospects deter staff from seeking personal help.
Conclusions The mental health and emotional well-being of ambulance personnel appear to be compromised by accident and emergency work.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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  C. Regehr and D. Millar Situation Critical: High Demand, Low Control, and Low Support in Paramedic Organizations Traumatology, March 1, 2007; 13(1): 49 - 58. [Abstract] [PDF]
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 J. Pienaar, S. Rothmann, and F. J. R. van de Vijver Occupational Stress, Personality Traits, Coping Strategies, and Suicide Ideation in the South African Police Service Criminal Justice and Behavior, February 1, 2007; 34(2): 246 - 258. [Abstract] [PDF]
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 C L Ward, C J Lombard, and N Gwebushe Critical incident exposure in South African emergency services personnel: prevalence and associated mental health issues Emerg. Med. J., March 1, 2006; 23(3): 226 - 231. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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J M Crabbe, D M G Bowley, K D Boffard, D A Alexander, and S Klein Are health professionals getting caught in the crossfire? The personal implications of caring for trauma victims Emerg. Med. J., September 1, 2004; 21(5): 568 - 572. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 D. A. Alexander and S. Klein Biochemical terrorism: too awful to contemplate, too serious to ignore: Subjective literature review The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2003; 183(6): 491 - 497. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 C. Regehr, J. Hill, G. Goldberg, and J. Hughes Postmortem Inquiries and Trauma Responses in Paramedics and Firefighters J Interpers Violence, June 1, 2003; 18(6): 607 - 622. [Abstract] [PDF]
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 E van der Ploeg and R J Kleber Acute and chronic job stressors among ambulance personnel: predictors of health symptoms Occup. Environ. Med., June 1, 2003; 60(90001): i40 - 46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 S. Littlewood, P. Case, R. Gater, and C. Lindsey Recruitment, retention, satisfaction and stress in child and adolescent psychiatrists Psychiatr. Bull., February 1, 2003; 27(2): 61 - 67. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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C. Cantor, J. M. Eagles, and D. A. Alexander General psychiatry and suicide prevention Authors' reply The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2001; 179(5): 463 - 464. [Full Text]
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