Written assignment 2-cap
EXPLORATORY STUDY 11
Decisions Paramedics Make On the Job
Rebekah J. White
Thomas Edison State University
Management Capstone
Dr. James Krolik
Due Sunday, December 6, 2020
Findings
The exploratory study purpose is assessing, identifying, and evaluating the influence ways paramedics alleviate stress in a personal and work environment. This interpretation of the answered survey created using 15 participants on their gender, age range, ethnicity, alleviation of job pressure, self-stress, and handling the constant change of work environment. The interpretations and findings indicate whether paramedics’ decision-making is affected by stressors.
The number of males that answered the survey were nine compared to six that were female, so the percentage of female to males is two-thirds answered the survey. The frequency number of females is six and males is nine with the percentage of females and males of each at 40% and 60%, correspondingly in the below pie chart.
The age ranges considered in the questionnaire were 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and over 50 with ethnicities - Asian, black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American or Alaskan native, white, multiracial or multi-ethnic, or other. The number of females versus the number of men from age ranges and ethnicity. In both genders and age categories, there are no Asian, Native American/Alaskan native, or an option of other in survey choice.
The female age and ethnicity significance is that there are two ages and ethnicities with the same frequency number. Female ages 40-49 and 30-39, to which their races are multiethnic and white of 33% each, respectively. As for females ages, 18-29 and over 50 having the ethnicities of multiracial and Hispanic or Latino are 17% replied. The below chart indicates a female’s ethnicity and age groups.
Comparably the male age groups and ethnicities are white males ages were 19-29 are 34%, white 30-39-year-olds are 22%, and 11% for white ages 40-49, white over 50, multiracial for 40-49, and black or African American 30-39. The male age groups and ethnicities are more diverse in the shown chart below.
The multiple-choice questions posed were about how paramedics relieve job stress, handle personal stress, and deal with the constant change in the work environment. Each inquiry has a list of choices with the other option to enter their input.
The first multiple choice question is how paramedic relief job stress. The selection are meditation, indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class), outdoor exercise (waking, running, biking, hiking, etc.), sleep, or option of other. The other options for this question are hunting, fishing, camping, watching cartoons, spent time with family, relax away from work, practice following protocol, and various hobbies (automobile repair, video games, etc.). None of the genders or age groups chose meditation as a job stress reliever, which may mean it is difficult to do during work time.
None of the age groups for female paramedics do hunting, fishing, camping, watching cartoons, spent time with family, reading, and relax away from work. This may be because of the other activities females are doing. According to the bar graph below, female are more active outdoors than indoors for all age ranges. For ages 18-29, 4-49, and above 50 is 33%, while the 30-39 year old females are 25%. Comparably the females that do indoor exercise are the 30-39 year olds ate 50% and 34% for both the 40-49 and above 50 age groups. However, none of the females in the 18-29 ages do indoor exercise. Sleep was not a factor for 40-49 age group but was for the 18-29, at 34%, above 50 at 33%, and 30-39 at 25%. About 33% of the 40-49 age group practices following protocol, whereas the other age groups do not. For various hobbies, the 18-29 ages plays videos games as the other age clusters do not have any hobbies.
None of the age groups practice following protocol for male paramedics to alleviate job stress. No 50 and over males do indoor exercise, but the other age groups 40-49 at 34%, 18-29 at 23%, and 30-39 at 22% were active indoors. Interestingly, 30-39 year old males were not active outdoors, however the other ages were above 50 at 100%, 30-39 at 34%, and 18-29 at 22%. The 18-29 year old males enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, and various hobbies is automobile repair at 11% each. The other age ranges did not do hunting, camping, fishing, or various hobbies. For the 30-39 year old males, relieves job stress by spending time with family, relax away from work, and watch cartoons at 11% each. The other age groups did not spending time with family, relax away from work, and watch cartoons because other activities may have occupied their time.
It is encouraging from the questionnaire that sleep is taken into consideration in job stress alleviation. Although the males in the 50 and over group did not consider sleep to be a need. It is known that paramedics doing shift work goes “against our fundamental biology” and driving an ambulance while tired is like drunk driver causing unnecessary risks (Berglund, n.d.).
The job stress reliever for both genders and age groups cope differently. Exercising indoor or outdoor and sleep is the most significant. Paramedics are preparing for better musculoskeletal and mental functionalities to endure the next shift (Aljerian et al., 2018).
The second multiple-choice question is how paramedics relieve personal stress. The selection are meditation, indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class), outdoor exercise (waking, running, biking, hiking, etc.), talk to a friend, spouse, or family member, or option of other. The other options for this question are hunting, fishing, camping, watching cartoons, spent time with family, relax away from work, study to be prepared for work, and various hobbies (automobile repair, video games, etc.).
No females did indoor or outdoor exercising, hunting, fishing, camping, watching cartoons, spent time with family, relax away from work, or meditation for alleviating personal stress. Female paramedics alleviate personal stress by talk to a friend, spouse, or family member for age groups 30-39 at 50% while the 18-29 and above 50 are 100%. The 40-49 year old women do not talk to a friend, spouse, or family member to ease personal stress. For ages 30-39 and 40-49 deal with their personal stress, whereas 18-29 and above 50 do not deal with it. In the 40-49 range study to be prepared for work, but the other age groups do not study in preparation for work. The chart graphically shows the results below.
Male paramedics do not alleviate personal stress by studying to be prepared for work. The 18-29 year olds hunts, fish, camps, and indoor exercise at 25%, whereas that other age ranges do not. Age range 30-39 talk to a friend, spouse, or family member, watching cartoons, spent time with family, and relax away from work at 20%, however the other age groups do not. Outdoor exercise and mediation at 50% for the 40-49 year old group, although the other age groups do not. The over 50 and over value on talking to a friend, spouse, or family member relieving personal stress at 100%, but the other ages do not.
As for personal stress reliever, both genders and age groups cope differently. The research indicated social interaction such as talk to a friend, spouse, or family member is relatable for both genders but not so much in age ranges. The use of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems plays a role in social interaction, allowing the body to go from tense to relax (Psychophysiology of stress, n.d.).
The last multiple-choice question is how paramedics deal with the constant change in the work environment. The selection are self-reflection, reading, smoking, enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.), write a journal, or the option for other. The other option is take time off for private matters and just power through it. None of the paramedics of either gender or age group does not smoking, which give the assumption that they care about their health to help others.
None of the female in either age group enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) and just power through it. For 18-29, 30-39, and 40-49 age groups do self-reflection at 100%, 50% and 50%, respectively. No 50 an over females so self-reflection for the constant work environment, but does write in a journal at 100%. At 50% the 40-49 ages do reading, while the 30-39 ages take time off for private.
None of the male paramedics do self-reflection and take time off for private. Each age group for males enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.), which is 33% for 18-29, 50% for 40-49, and 100% each for 30-39 and above 50. The 18-29 age ranges at 33% write a journal and powering through it. Although, the 30-39, 40-49, and above 50 age ranges do not write a journal and powering through it. The 40-49 age ranges do reading but ages 18-29, 30-39, and above 50 do not.
Paramedics are on autopilot to have their adrenaline pumping, exhausting their physical and mental strengths. When it comes to constant changes in the work environment, the females are solidarity focusing on their mental state. Males want social interaction when the work environment interchanges. The way each gender handles environmental change is a complexity in their mental state and cognitive processes (Reay, Rankin, Smith-Macdonald, & Lazarenko, 2018).
The ethnicity within the genders and age groups did not have any significance toward the questions posed. Each gender and age group had similar answers and did not see a trend in the research.
References
Aljerian, N., Alshehri, S., Masudi, E., Albawardi, A. M., Alzahrani, F., & Alanazi, R. (2018).
The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among EMS Personnel in Saudi Arabia,
Riyadh. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 73(1), 5777–5782.
Berglund, J. (n.d.). The Danger of Sleep Deprivation. Retrieved from
https://pulse.embs.org/july-2019/the-danger-of-sleep-deprivation/
Guadagni, V., Cook, E., Hart, C., Burles, F., & Iaria, G. (2018). Poor sleep quality affects
empathic responses in experienced paramedics. Sleep and Biological Rhythms, 16(3), 365–368. doi: 10.1007/s41105-018-0156-8
Heibutzki, R. (2017, November 21). What Unusual Hazards Does Being a Paramedic Present?
Retrieved from https://work.chron.com/unusual-hazards-being-paramedic-present-
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How Coronavirus Spreads. (2020, March 4). Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-
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Parker, J., & Imwold, D. (2004). Anatomicas body atlas. San Diego, CA: Laurel Glen.
Psychophysiology of stress response. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.managingstress.com/psychophysiology-of-stress-response
Reay, G., Rankin, J. A., Smith-Macdonald, L., & Lazarenko, G. C. (2018). Creative adapting in a
fluid environment: an explanatory model of paramedic decision making in the pre-hospital setting. BMC Emergency Medicine, 18(1). doi: 10.1186/s12873-018-0194-1
Male Ethnicity and Age
Frequency White, 40-49 White, 18-29 White, 50 and over White, 30-39 Black/African American, 30-39 Multiracial, 40-49 1 3 1 2 1 1 Percentage
White, 40-49 White, 18-29 White, 50 and over White, 30-39 Black/African American, 30-39 Multiracial, 40-49 0.11 0.34 0.11 0.22 0.11 0.11
Job Stress Alleviation - Age Ranges - Female
18-29 Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Reading Practice following protocol Various hobbies Hunting Camping Fishing Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons 0 0.34 0.33 0 0 0.33 0 0 0 0 0 0 30-39 Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Reading Practice following protocol Various hobbies Hunting Camping Fishing Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons 0.5 0.25 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40-49 Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Reading Practice following protocol Various hobbies Hunting Camping Fishing Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons 0.34 0 0.33 0 0.33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 & over Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Reading Practice following protocol Various hobbies Hunting Camping Fishing Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons 0.34 0.33 0.33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alleviate Job Stress - Age Ranges - Male
18-29 Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Reading Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Camping Fishing Practice following protocol Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons Various hobbies 0.23 0.11 0 0.22 0.11 0.11 0.11 0 0 0 0 0.11 30-39 Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Reading Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Camping Fishing Practice following protocol Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons Various hobbies 0.22 0.11 0 0.34 0 0 0 0 0.11 0.11 0.11 0 40-49 Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Reading Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Camping Fishing Practice following protocol Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons Various hobbies 0.34 0.33 0.33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 & over Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) Sleep Reading Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Camping Fishing Practice following protocol Spend time with family Relax away from work Watch cartoons Various hobbies 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Personal Stress Alleviation - Age Ranges - Female
18-29 Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30-39 Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 40-49 Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 50 & over Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Personal Stress Alleviation - Age Ranges - Male
18-29 Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0 0.25 0.25 0.25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.25 30-39 Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0 0 0 0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0 0 0 40-49 Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 0 50 & over Outdoor exercise (walking, running, biking, hiking, etc.) Hunting Fishing Camping Talk to a friend, spouse, or family member Watch cartoons Spend time with family Relax away from work Deal with it Study to be prepared for work Meditation Indoor exercise (stationary bike, treadmill, or online fitness class) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Constant Work Environment - Age Ranges - Female
18-29 Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 30-39 Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 40-49 Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0.5 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 50 & over Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Constant Work Environment - Age Ranges - Male
18-29 Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0 0.34 0.33 0.33 0 0 0 30-39 Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 40-49 Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 50 & over Reading Just power through it Enjoy company (speaking, laughing, etc.) Write in journal Self-reflection Take time off for private matters Smoking 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Gender Ratio
Frequency
Male Female 9 6
Female Ethnicity and Age
Frequency Multiracial, 18-29 White, 40-49 Hispanic/Latino, 50 and over Multiracial, 30-39 1 2 1 2 Percentage
Multiracial, 18-29 White, 40-49 Hispanic/Latino, 50 and over Multiracial, 30-39 0.17 0.33 0.17 0.33