The Female Emergency Medical Services Experience: A Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Gender Studies in Healthcare
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a demanding field with limited understanding of gender-specific experiences.
• Research is needed to characterize the occupational experiences of female EMS clinicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand and characterize the occupational experiences of female EMS clinicians.
• To identify factors impacting their personal and occupational wellbeing.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study combining focus groups (n=22) and a cross-sectional survey (n=148) of female EMS clinicians.
• Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data, and descriptive statistics for quantitative data on wellbeing and workplace experiences.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: female EMS experience, impact on personal/occupational wellbeing, and coping mechanisms.
• 73% reported workplace harassment; 61% considered leaving EMS.
• 70% showed probable anxiety, 54% probable depression, and 41% elevated burnout symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore the need for interventions to improve female EMS clinicians' experiences and wellbeing.
• Addressing harassment and supporting mental health are critical for workforce retention, especially post-pandemic.
• Further research should explore predictors of adverse mental health outcomes in this population.