Abstract
Introduction:
The high rates of fatigue among paramedics, particularly cognitive and physical fatigue, necessitate research to understand its impact on performance and safety.
Aims:
This study aimed to identify paramedics' self-perceived demands of cognitive and physical tasks, along with fatigue and fatigue-related injuries within the profession.
Methods:
An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to all paramedics within the Emergency Service Agency (ESA) of a state agency. The survey included questions on the most cognitively and physically demanding tasks and personal injuries. The Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery Scale (OFERS) was used to assess acute and chronic fatigue levels and intershift recovery.
Results:
A total of 35 responses were collected, with 22 completed surveys utilised for data analysis. The most cognitively demanding tasks were reported to be clinical decision-making and patient care tasks while the most physically demanding tasks were manual handling and carrying the responder bag. Most respondents (73%) reported feeling cognitively and physically fatigued at the end of their shift, while all (100%) reported fatigue was still felt on their days off. Notably, nearly a third (32%) of respondents reported having suffered an injury within the last six months, with the majority of those reporting injuries (86.5%) stating that they believed fatigue contributed to their injuries. These subjective reports aligned with the OFERS results which indicated moderate/high levels of chronic fatigue, elevated acute fatigue, and low recovery levels between shifts.
Conclusion:
This research highlights the significant levels of fatigue, both cognitive and physical among paramedics and the connection between fatigue and injury risk. Strategies to reduce fatigue, both cognitive and physical, and improve recovery must be developed for this population to minimise the harmful effects of fatigue on performance and its contribution to injury risk.
The high rates of fatigue among paramedics, particularly cognitive and physical fatigue, necessitate research to understand its impact on performance and safety.
Aims:
This study aimed to identify paramedics' self-perceived demands of cognitive and physical tasks, along with fatigue and fatigue-related injuries within the profession.
Methods:
An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to all paramedics within the Emergency Service Agency (ESA) of a state agency. The survey included questions on the most cognitively and physically demanding tasks and personal injuries. The Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery Scale (OFERS) was used to assess acute and chronic fatigue levels and intershift recovery.
Results:
A total of 35 responses were collected, with 22 completed surveys utilised for data analysis. The most cognitively demanding tasks were reported to be clinical decision-making and patient care tasks while the most physically demanding tasks were manual handling and carrying the responder bag. Most respondents (73%) reported feeling cognitively and physically fatigued at the end of their shift, while all (100%) reported fatigue was still felt on their days off. Notably, nearly a third (32%) of respondents reported having suffered an injury within the last six months, with the majority of those reporting injuries (86.5%) stating that they believed fatigue contributed to their injuries. These subjective reports aligned with the OFERS results which indicated moderate/high levels of chronic fatigue, elevated acute fatigue, and low recovery levels between shifts.
Conclusion:
This research highlights the significant levels of fatigue, both cognitive and physical among paramedics and the connection between fatigue and injury risk. Strategies to reduce fatigue, both cognitive and physical, and improve recovery must be developed for this population to minimise the harmful effects of fatigue on performance and its contribution to injury risk.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-13 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | European Society of Medicine |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Jun 2025 |