Post-Traumatic and Paramedics Effects - Essay Example

"Post-Traumatic and Paramedics Effects" is a wonderful example of a paper on the health system. Emergency ambulance personnel, such as paramedics, are at increased risk of psychological stress because they are constantly exposed to human pain and suffering (Regehr, Goldberg, and Hughes, 2002, p. 505; Smith and Roberts, 2003, p. 75). Involvement of the paramedics in a disaster that involves death and suffering puts them at risk for acute stress disorder and most often, results in post-traumatic stress disorder.

            In addition to the stress encountered by paramedics during a disaster, other stressors noted were the rapid action needed to provide medical care, life-and-death interventions in an unfamiliar environment, scrutinizing of bystanders and relatives, and dealing with unpredictable and non-specific threats (Sterud, Ekeberg, and Hem, 2006, p. 83). The emotional strain and the exhausting sensational events brought by different factors contribute to the trauma experienced by paramedics and other emergency ambulance personnel.

            Alexander and Klein (2009) stated that first responders such as paramedics experienced feelings of anxiety, hyperarousal, hypervigilance, painful recollections, and grief that frequently occur following a traumatic experience. If not properly cope up by paramedics, this may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (p. 88).

            Employers, aid organizations, and other authorities must deal with the possibility of emotional stress and traumatic disorder among paramedics and other emergency ambulance personnel. Studies revealed that psychological debriefing will help paramedics in coping up with traumatic experiences to avoid disruptions that may affect the provision of life-saving interventions expected of a paramedic’s duty (Devilly, Gist and Cotton, 2008, p. 318). Likewise, reality check awareness must also be inculcated to paramedics that some patients will die regardless of their actions; thus, paramedics need essential coping skills (Porter, 2008, p. 1).

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