Managing menstruation while working in the Australasian ambulance service environment

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Gender Studies
• Emergency Medical Services

Background:

• The ambulance service demographic is increasingly feminized, necessitating attention to female-specific workplace issues.
• Limited research exists on menstrual health management for ambulance personnel and paramedicine students during clinical placements.
• Individuals who menstruate may encounter difficulties managing their cycles in the demanding emergency ambulance service environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate, describe, and measure the impacts and experiences of people who menstruate while working in Australasian ambulance services.
• To understand how ambulance personnel and paramedicine students manage menstruation during workplace duties and clinical placements.
• To highlight the need for addressing menstrual health as a critical workplace issue in the paramedicine profession.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was administered to participants who menstruate and work or study within the ambulance service.
• The survey collected data on participants' menstrual cycles and their effects on workplace performance.
• Foucauldian analyses of disciplinary power were employed to interpret organizational practices and their impact on gendered bodies.

Main Results:

• Individuals who menstruate while working in an ambulance environment reported adverse impacts on their performance and wellbeing.
• Menstruation in the workplace was identified as a significant psychological safety, health, and wellbeing issue.
• Organizational practices can regulate and normalize gendered bodies, affecting visibility and experiences.

Conclusions:

• Menstrual inequity in the ambulance service is a critical issue requiring research and policy attention.
• Bodily differences, including menstruation, should be recognized as organizational responsibilities, not private inconveniences.
• The ambulance industry must foster open discussions, education, and supportive practices to address menstrual inequity and promote dignity, justice, and human rights.