This 2500 essay designed to assess key learning outcomes for this course including an ability to critique evidence based practice and critically analyse factors that influence ambulance practice and pre-hospital care. This paper is designed with an emphasis on accessing current literature and utilising this to explore the allocated topic in detail.
Topic: Investigate a current (non-clinical) contemporary issue affecting the profession of paramedicine or today’s paramedic workforce. Consider in depth the issue that you have chosen and detail the impacts on the service, employees and the community as a whole.
Students are required to demonstrate the ability to examine and provide a paper of post graduate standard in regards to the chosen topic. It is expected that literature will be utilised throughout the essay to show that the student has explored the topic and developed an understanding of findings. A minimum of 15 peer reviewed academic references is expected that were published within the last 10 years. APA referencing style is expected.
The due date for this essay is 13th October 2024
*Please note that all assignment submissions should include the cover page(declaration page) and marking guide.
The idea of burn out started out in the 1970s with an inaugural article on burnout written by Herbert J. Freudenberger in 1974 in the journal of social Issues.
Introduction
“Burnout is a state of exhaustion coming from being overwhelmed. Burnout is the result of excessive, accumulated, and prolonged pressure from situations that are emotionally, physically, and mentally demanding.” – Ambulance Victoria Website.
In this essay, We will be talking about Burnout and it’s impact on the ambulance services. This is an issue that affects so many of the health care occupations. Probably, the most prevalent non clinical issue that is affecting the paramedic workforce as well.This essay will explore the topic of burnout in paramedics focusing on the australian context. We will be talking about Burnout and it’s associated mental health challenges in depth and talk about the impact on the service, the paramedics themselves and the community as a whole.
So, What is Burnout?
As defined by Ambulance Victoria(AV), it is a state of exhaustion as a result of prolonged and excessive pressure that comes with being in demanding scenarios. This is the shorter version of course. While not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as diagnosable condition(reference), WHO defines Burnout in it’s International Classification of disease as a Occupational Phenomenon that is a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterised by three dimensions:
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feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
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increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
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reduced professional efficacy.
So if we look at the common themes across both definitions by AV and WHO, Burnout is a prolonged state of stress and exhaustion that comes because of one’s profession and results in reduced work satisfaction and efficacy. Great!
In 2020, a systematic review study by reardon et al., found out that burnout exists in the paramedic profession with varying levels among different areas.The study looked at 5 different studies from USA (1), Australia(1), Israel(1) and south africa(1). This means burnout occurs in paramedics regardless of the country.However, Study highlighted that the issue of burnout occurs in paramedic occupation anywhere from 16- 56 %. With an Australian study reporting a massive 56% rate of burnout. This study also looked at the expected burnout, with much of the burnout relating to the personal factors rather than patient factors.
What causes Burnout?
Depression vs Burnout
Impact on paramedics:(600 words)
What impacts does burnout have on paramedics?(Remove)
Burnout and signs of burnout have a lot of common ground and hence are difficult to separate since burnout is mostly defined as a collection of symptoms. Ambulance victoria categories these signs of burnout into emotional, behavioural, cognitive and physiological symptoms.
Feeling of hopelessness, hostile and negative feelings towards the professionals, numbness, feeling of guilt and self pity , feeling of sense of alienation, impatience and negativity can all be emotional signs of burnout. Behavioural signs included being over committed to work, having difficulty getting out of the bed in the morning and becoming accident prone. Cognitive signs include difficulty in making decisions and staying focused , having anxiety and worry, having mood swings and inability to concentrate. Moreover, there would be physiological signs such as experiencing feeling of running on empty, tiredness and exhaustion along with muscle tension and headaches.
All these symptoms can lead to anxiety, depression, substance abuse, reduced empathy , increased isolation, detachment and avoidance. It also impairs patient care and can cause medical error. In a study Crowe et al ( https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2017.1356411 ) Burnout resulted in at least 10 or more days of sick leave per year and was associated with intention to leave the Emergency medical service(EMS) profession altogether. This study also linked the cause for burnout to increased weekly call volume and undertaking certification process.
Depression vs Burnout
All of the above methods to classify burnout either via it’s symptoms or effects makes it look like it could be any of the various mental health conditions but it particularly comes very close to depression in it’s presentation. This unclear distinction has been troubling the scientific community for a while now and there has not been a concrete separation via research. The DSM-5 manual charactizes major depression as having at least two weeks of depressed mood or/and anhedonia (loss of interest and pleasure) with atleast four other symptoms such as decreased or increased appetite and/or weight, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness and/or guilt, impaired concentration or decision making and suicidal ideation.
(help me complete tthe rest of this essay please)