Voices from the frontline: The day-to-day experiences of ambulance service providers

BackgroundOne of the principal providers of a 24-hour response to medical crises and trauma-related interventions is ambulance service providers. Despite the crucial roles ambulance services play in providing emergency healthcare, little attention has been paid to their occupational health in developing countries.ObjectiveThe study explored the lived occupational health experiences of ambulance service providers in Ho municipality within the Volta region of Ghana.MethodsThe study utilized a qualitative research approach with an exploratory design, incorporating all ambulance workers with a minimum of one (1) year of experience within the municipality. The sample size was determined by saturation at 15 participants. Employing a purposive sampling technique, the research used a semi-structured interview guide for collecting audio-recorded data. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsThe study recognized four main themes and thirteen subthemes, highlighting the demanding tasks of ambulance providers in the Ho Municipality, along with the consequent impact on their well-being and effective coping mechanisms.ConclusionTo increase efficiency and lower the identified occupational health challenges among ambulance service providers, educational programs and in-service training should emphasize preventive and coping mechanisms to mitigate these glaring effects.