Infect Chemother.
2022 Jun;54(2):316-327. 10.3947/ic.2022.0049.
Psychological Effects of COVID-19 Patient Management Experience among Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians: A Nationwide Survey in Korea
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
- 3Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- 4Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- 5Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- 6Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- 7Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- 8Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- KMID: 2531021
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2022.0049
Abstract
- Background
Throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, not only medical personnel but also paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMT) have faced multiple physical and psychological challenges while performing their duties. The current study aimed to evaluate the psychological effects of managing patients with COVID-19 on the paramedics and EMT.
Materials and Methods
A survey targeting paramedics and EMT in Korea was conducted in December 2020. An official letter requesting participation and with the link to an onlinebased survey was sent to the Public Emergency Medical Services. Only one response was accepted from each participant.
Results
A total of 326 paramedics and EMT responded to the survey. Among them, 66.3% (216/326) had experience in managing patients with COVID-19. No differences in the distribution of sex, age, working area, duration of working experience, and underlying comorbidities were observed between those who did (COVID-19 group) and did not (nonCOVID-19 group) experience managing patients with COVID-19. The percentage of participants who showed severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was significantly higher in the COVID group than in the non-COVID group (11.1% vs. 3.6%P = 0.029). The participants in the COVID group had a significantly higher mean Global Assessment of Recent Stress Scale score than those in the non-COVID group (18.7 ± 11.1 vs. 16.1 ± 9.9, P = 0.042). The proportion of paramedics and EMT willing to leave their job if given a chance was higher in the COVID group than the non-COVID group (24.1% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.001). Additionally, paramedics and EMT in the COVID group tended to show concern regarding exposure to COVID-19 infection.
Conclusion
The experience of managing patients with COVID-19 resulted in psychological distress among paramedics and EMT in Korea.
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