A study of emotion work in student paramedic practice

Area of Science:

• Emergency medicine
• Psychology
• Medical education

Background:

• Student paramedics encounter intense emotional situations during early preregistration education.
• Active involvement in critical incidents exposes them to suffering, pain, trauma, and death.
• Limited research exists on the emotional aspects of paramedic practice, particularly from a student perspective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore student paramedics' perceptions and experiences of emotion work.
• To identify strategies students use to manage their emotions in practice.
• To understand the emotional demands faced by student paramedics.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, exploratory research design.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with eight second-year undergraduate paramedic science students.
• Thematic content analysis of interview data.

Main Results:

• Emergence of themes: 'getting on with the job', 'struggling with emotion', and 'talking it through'.
• Students prioritized 'getting on with the job' through emotion control and suppression, sometimes by dehumanizing patients.
• Difficulties were experienced in managing patient and relative emotions, as well as their own, leading to uncertainty and distress.

Conclusions:

• Student paramedic practice involves significant emotional demands.
• Findings underscore the need for curriculum development to prepare and support students in effective emotion work.
• Effective emotional coping strategies are crucial for student paramedic well-being and professional development.