Paramedic Flourishing at Work: A Way Forward

The field of paramedicine is a complex and unique work environment. The paramedic profession is ever evolving to the needs of the community, facing increased challenges compounded by the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health care system. Paramedics are exposed to acute and chronic occupational stressors, traditionally studied with a deficit-based approach to well-being. This study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to explore paramedic well-being with a strengths-based lens. At a single urban paramedic service, this study followed the thread of flourishing through a quantitative survey to semi-structured interviews utilizing narrative inquiry with an appreciative focus. The integration of these findings resulted in the emergence of aggregate dimensions that were interwoven and operating across many contexts simultaneously. There were five important senses associated with paramedic flourishing at work: sense of role identity congruence, sense of self, sense of coherence, sense of opportunity, and sense of connection. Future research utilizing a salutogenic strength-based lens is necessary to further explore the concepts of paramedic well-being to learn from those that are actively thriving and replicate their flourishing.

Author dc:creator

• Mason, Paige

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Harris, Brigitte

• College of interdisciplinary studies

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/ir-19731

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28106