Burnout and Coping Methods Among Emergency Medical Services Professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Burnout is a syndrome explained as serious emotional depletion with poor adaptation at work due to prolonged occupational stress. Aims: Study aimed to assess the relationship between burnout among emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and the coping strategies to alleviate work stress. Study Settings and Design: Study was cross- sectional and conducted among 270 active duty EMS professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All areas and sub-areas were included in the sample. Materials and Methods: Socio-demographic characteristics and work related data were collected. Maslach Burnout Inventory-Health Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was used to assess burnout and Coping Methods Checklist (CMC) to assess coping strategies. Statistical Analysis: SPSS explored the association between socio-demographic and work related data of the sample and coping strategies and each of MBI scales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). Results and Conclusions: EMS professionals perceived high level of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and low level of personal achievement. The most frequently used coping strategies were; talking with colleagues (87.4%), looking forward to off-duty (82.6%), and thinking about the positive benefits of work (81.1%). CMC7 (thinking about the positive benefits of work) significantly decreased emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and improved personal achievement. CMC7 was the most predictor contributed to the variation of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievement. Saudis had lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The study provided guidelines for policy and decision makers for developing training programs that can help EMS professionals cope with burnout to prevent adverse health outcomes.