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Prevalence and Characteristics of Violence against Paramedics in a Single Canadian Site

Author

Listed:
  • Justin Mausz

    (Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Fernforest Division, 1600 Bovaird Drive East, Brampton, ON L6R 4R5, Canada
    Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, The University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada)

  • Mandy Johnston

    (Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Tomken Division, 6825 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4, Canada)

  • Dominique Arseneau-Bruneau

    (Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Fernforest Division, 1600 Bovaird Drive East, Brampton, ON L6R 4R5, Canada)

  • Alan M. Batt

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, 99 University Avenue, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
    Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Building H, 47-49 Moorooduc Hwy, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia)

  • Elizabeth A. Donnelly

    (School of Social Work, The University of Windsor, 167 Ferry Street, Windsor, ON N9A 0C5, Canada)

Abstract

Violence against paramedics has been described as a ‘serious public health problem’ but one that remains ‘vastly underreported’, owing to an organizational culture that stigmatizes reporting–hindering efforts at risk mitigation in addition to creating a gap in research. Leveraging a novel reporting process developed after extensive stakeholder consultation and embedded within the electronic patient care record, our objective was to provide a descriptive profile of violence against paramedics in a single paramedic service in Ontario, Canada. Between 1 February 2021 and 31 January 2023, a total of 374 paramedics in Peel Region (48% of the workforce) generated 941 violence reports, of which 40% documented physical ( n = 364) or sexual ( n = 19) assault. The violence was typically perpetrated by patients (78%) and primarily took place at the scene of the 9-1-1 call (47%); however, violent behavior frequently persisted or recurred while in transit to hospital and after arrival. Collectively, mental health, alcohol, or drug use were listed as contributing circumstances in 83% of the violence reports. In all, 81 paramedics were physically harmed because of an assault. On average, our data correspond to a paramedic filing a violence report every 18 h, being physically assaulted every 46 h, and injured every 9 days.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin Mausz & Mandy Johnston & Dominique Arseneau-Bruneau & Alan M. Batt & Elizabeth A. Donnelly, 2023. "Prevalence and Characteristics of Violence against Paramedics in a Single Canadian Site," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:17:p:6644-:d:1224637
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andréanne Angehrn & Michelle J. N. Teale Sapach & Rosemary Ricciardelli & Renée S. MacPhee & Gregory S. Anderson & R. Nicholas Carleton, 2020. "Sleep Quality and Mental Disorder Symptoms among Canadian Public Safety Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Justin Mausz & Elizabeth Anne Donnelly & Sandra Moll & Sheila Harms & Meghan McConnell, 2022. "Mental Disorder Symptoms and the Relationship with Resilience among Paramedics in a Single Canadian Site," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303989_1 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Maguire, B.J. & O'Neill, B.J., 2017. "Emergency medical service personnel's risk from violence while serving the community," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(11), pages 1770-1775.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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