Emergency Medical Staff Workload Analysis

Analysis of the Occupational Workload of Doctors and Medical Staff Involved in Emergency and Life-threatening Situations

The aim of this study is to identify trauma determinants and leverage this understanding to develop solutions applicable to the prevention and treatment of PTSD among emergency medical personnel. By categorizing stimuli associated with traumatic professional experiences, the study aims to enhance existing therapeutic protocols through exposure therapy. The specific objectives are as follows:

1. Analysis and characterization of occupational workloads among doctors and emergency medical personnel, focusing on the scale of burdens associated with PTSD symptoms.
2. Development of categories for aggravating and potentially traumatizing stimuli within the medical staff of rescue teams.
3. Examination of the feasibility of incorporating the obtained results into cognitive-behavioral therapy protocols.
4. Assessment of the potential for implementing the results in solutions utilizing virtual reality technology.
5. Formation of an interdisciplinary international research team.

Background: Data on the impact of workloads indicate that emergency medical personnel exposed to sudden threats to health or life are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of occupational stress. Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within this professional group significantly surpass the rates found in the general population. Traumatic experiences encountered by medical staff may lead to a substantial decline in their mental health, as well as in their social and professional functioning.

Participants: Several hundred medical doctors and emergency medical personnel from Poland, Ukraine, Portugal and Spain.

Research Methodology: Analysis of data collected through focused interviews, psychological scales, and questionnaires pertaining to burnout, stress, and mental health conditions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• completed medical studies or emergency medical course
• assistance in life-threatening conditions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intellectual disability
• Inability to self-complete the research questionnaires