By Faith Boldt
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — PTSD and suicide ideation among EMS providers is being studied by researchers at Western Kentucky University.
The researchers are hoping to answer these two primary questions with a recently launched survey:
1. What puts EMS providers at risk for PTSD and suicide?
2. What protects them?
The survey, which takes about 20 minutes to complete, looks at how personal factors such as coping skills, resilience and post-traumatic growth, and organizational factors such as EMS culture and post-incident protocols, relate to PTSD and suicide ideation. The study also looks at EMS providers’ ability to recognize and intervene with colleagues with PTSD.
Responses from EMS providers will be used to develop both risk and protective profiles. All EMS providers are encouraged to participate and not just those who are experiencing problems.
Results, which researchers plan to share broadly, will provide sound evidence on the incidence of PTSD and suicide ideation. Researchers hope the findings will increase awareness of this growing problem in the EMS profession. Ultimately, though, results will be used to develop programs and protocols that will benefit EMS providers.
Email questions about the study to Faith Boldt faith.boldt232@topper.wku.edu or Marilyn Gardner marilyn.gardner@wku.edu.