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. 2022 Dec;25(4):334-340.
doi: 10.1016/j.auec.2022.04.003. Epub 2022 May 5.

The impact of COVID-19 on social support perception and stress of prehospital care providers

Medine Unal  1 , Atakan Yilmaz  2 , Halis Yilmaz  3 , Gulay Yigitoglu Tasdemir  4 , Mehmet Uluturk  1 , Aykut Kemanci  1 , Hande Senol  5 , Burak Altan  6 , Mert Ozen  7 , Murat Seyit  7 , Alten Oskay  7 , Ibrahim Turkcuer  7
Affiliations

The impact of COVID-19 on social support perception and stress of prehospital care providers

Medine Unal et al. Australas Emerg Care. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Background: This study seeks to explore the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the social support perception and acute stress disorder of prehospital care providers (PCPs) in the province of Denizli.

Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between December 25, 2020 and January 25, 2021. Out of 510 ambulatory care staff constituting the study population, there were 287 PCPs (%56.2), including 13 physicians, 89 paramedics, 134 emergency medical technicians, and 51 individuals from other occupational groups (nurse, driver, cleaning staff, medical secretary) based at emergency health services. The data collection tools employed in the study include an introductory information form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and National Stressful Events Survey Acute Stress Disorder Short Scale (NSESSS), which was organized as an online questionnaire.

Results: We analyzed the data from 287 PCPs that completed the form and scales. The mean score of the NSESSS was calculated as 1.53 ± 0.79. The PCPs who experienced health problems (1.85 ± 0.69), suffered from mental problems and received psychotherapy and medication (2.57 ± 0.57), encountered COVID-19 patients (1.58 ± 0.8), provided care for COVID-19 patients (1.59 ± 0.79), and took polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests (1.68 ± 0.78) had higher acute stress symptom levels. The total mean score of MSPSS was calculated as 66.28 ± 17.22. Total MSPSS scores of the participants varied significantly in terms of age, marital status, taking a COVID-19 test, suffering from mental problems, status of encountering a COVID-19 patient, and workplace satisfaction (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The findings are suggestive of high perceptions of multidimensional social support and low acute stress symptom levels of the PCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Keywords: Acute stress; COVID-19; Paramedic; Prehospital care providers; Social support.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. Conflict of interest statement The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interests.

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