Abstract
This study investigated sleep quality, fatigue, mental health and physical activity in rural paramedic shiftworkers. Although
limited, previous studies have associated high fatigue levels and poorer health in this sector with shiftwork rostering and
occupational demands. A modified version of the Standard Shiftwork Index was completed by 150 paramedics (117 male and 31
females) from rural Victoria. Single sample t tests found significantly higher levels of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress, and significantly poorer sleep quality
than reference samples. Paramedics also reported less physical activity than community samples. By regression analysis, sleep
quality explained the greatest amount of variance in fatigue scores, followed by depression and age. No gender differences
in levels of depression or fatigue were found. Consistent with an earlier study of metropolitan paramedics based on the same
methodology, findings suggest rural ambulance paramedic shiftworkers are at particular risk for increased levels of fatigue
and depression (regardless of age or gender) and poor quality sleep. Organisational intervention was suggested.
limited, previous studies have associated high fatigue levels and poorer health in this sector with shiftwork rostering and
occupational demands. A modified version of the Standard Shiftwork Index was completed by 150 paramedics (117 male and 31
females) from rural Victoria. Single sample t tests found significantly higher levels of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress, and significantly poorer sleep quality
than reference samples. Paramedics also reported less physical activity than community samples. By regression analysis, sleep
quality explained the greatest amount of variance in fatigue scores, followed by depression and age. No gender differences
in levels of depression or fatigue were found. Consistent with an earlier study of metropolitan paramedics based on the same
methodology, findings suggest rural ambulance paramedic shiftworkers are at particular risk for increased levels of fatigue
and depression (regardless of age or gender) and poor quality sleep. Organisational intervention was suggested.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9599-z
- Authors
- James A. Courtney, School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- Andrew J. P. Francis, Division of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, Bundoora, 3083 Australia
- Susan J. Paxton, School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145