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Burnout and Health Issues among Prehospital Personnel in Taiwan Fire Departments during a Sudden Spike in Community COVID-19 Cases: A Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Yu-Tung Chang

    (Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City 106, Taiwan)

  • Yih-Jin Hu

    (Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City 106, Taiwan)

Abstract

A spike in COVID-19 cases in Taiwan’s communities caused a significant increase in workload and infection concerns among prehospital personnel working in Taiwan fire departments. The present study was aimed at investigating their health status during this period. The target population was prehospital personnel who are from Taiwan fire departments, and who responded to COVID-19 patients during the community outbreak period. A questionnaire was employed to assess their physical and mental health status. The results showed that prehospital personnel suffered from moderate to severe degrees of burnout. Workload, body burden, and perceived pressure increased significantly during this period. Participants received more support from friends, family, and colleagues than they did from authorities. The paramedics reported higher scores for personal burnout than the emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Compared to non-COVID-19 response units, special COVID-19 response units reported higher scores for workload, body burden, and supportive environment. The results suggested that personal and work-related burnout were associated with higher perceived pressure. This study is the first investigation of physical and mental health burdens among prehospital personnel in Taiwan fire departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The physical and mental health status of these personnel should be continuously monitored, and intervention provided as necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu-Tung Chang & Yih-Jin Hu, 2022. "Burnout and Health Issues among Prehospital Personnel in Taiwan Fire Departments during a Sudden Spike in Community COVID-19 Cases: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2257-:d:751162
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    1. Sofia Pappa & Nikolaos Athanasiou & Nikolaos Sakkas & Stavros Patrinos & Elpitha Sakka & Zafeiria Barmparessou & Stamatoula Tsikrika & Andreas Adraktas & Athanasia Pataka & Ilias Migdalis & Sofia Gida, 2021. "From Recession to Depression? Prevalence and Correlates of Depression, Anxiety, Traumatic Stress and Burnout in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: A Multi-Center, Cross-Section," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, March.
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    1. Sheng-Chieh Lee & Ching-Yuan Lin & Ying-Ji Chuang, 2022. "The Study of Alternative Fire Commanders’ Training Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic Situation in New Taipei City, Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-22, May.

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