Enhancing Educational Programs and Communication Strategies to Address Alcohol Use Among EMS Providers

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers experience substantial occupational stress, which may contribute to alcohol use as a coping mechanism. Despite growing attention to workforce wellness among first responders, relatively little research has examined how alcohol-related education should be developed and delivered for EMS providers. This qualitative study explored non-fire-based EMS providers' perspectives on alcohol-related education, training, and support through semi-structured interviews with 31 EMS clinicians representing multiple certification levels and regions of the United States. Participants consistently described existing alcohol-related education as limited, passive, and focused primarily on patient care rather than provider well-being. They recommended educational approaches that incorporate EMS-specific data, information on the physiological effects of alcohol, personal narratives, and interactive instructional strategies. Participants also emphasized the importance of broader support systems, including peer support, family involvement, and improved awareness of available resources. Taken together, these findings suggest that alcohol-related education in EMS should be tailored to the occupational realities of the profession and integrated with broader efforts to support workforce health and well-being.