Alzahrani, Adnan

Johnson, Judith

Keyworth, Chris

Wilson, Caitlin

Ambulance Research Repository

1Paramedicine poses several challenges for students, including factors that can affect their well-being. Over the past two decades, research has revealed that paramedics and paramedic students are more susceptible to mental disorders than the general population. This implies that course-related factors may play a crucial role in contributing to poor mental health. Despite this, only a few studies have investigated stress-related factors in paramedic students, and none have included students from different cultural backgrounds.Background 2This study had two objectives. The first one was to investigate the training experiences of paramedicine students and other education-related factors that could impact their wellbeing. The second objective was to compare the cultural differences and similarities between Saudi Arabia and the UK to determine whether the students' cultural environment affected factors related to their wellbeing.Objective 3This study used a qualitativeexploratory research design andinvolved conducting twenty semi-structured interviews withparamedicine students. The studentswere from the United Kingdom andthe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, withten participants from each country.The analytical approach employed inthe study was reflexive thematicanalysis.Methodology4ResultsCauses of stress and poor mental healthin paramedicine students: A cross-cultural qualitative investigation in Saudi Arabia and the United KingdomAdnan Alzahrani1,2 , Chris Keyworth1, Caitlin Wilson 1, Judith Johnson11School of Psychology, University of Leeds, UK2Department of Basic Science, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia5According to the research, it was discovered that two different nations shared common elements that led to stress. The report recommends that better preparation can help to reduce the negative impacts of the possible traumatic events encountered on placements and supportive relationships, especially with proctors, can boost student wellbeing.  Universities are able to address both these factors and help foster a positive environment for paramedicine students. As such, these results should help educators and policymakers when identifying and delivering interventions to support paramedic students. Conclusion For the published version scan me Exposure to potentially traumatic eventsPatients Patient outcomesTypes of patientsTrainingTraining environments VulnerabilityTraining placements as early as the first yearThrough our research, we have identified four key factors that significantly impact the stress levels experienced by paramedic students. Firstly,exposure to potentially traumatic events during their training can be a source of immense stress. This includes responding to emergencies andwitnessing distressing incidents, which can leave a long-lasting impact on their mental wellbeing. Secondly, the quality of relationships andcommunication with peers, instructors, and supervisors can also play a significant role in their stress levels. This encompasses both personal andprofessional relationships, as well as the level of support they receive from their immediate surroundings. Thirdly, the overall atmosphere of theprogram, including the academic demands and the level of support provided, can also be a significant stressor for paramedic students. Lastly, thepressure of meeting future career expectations and predictions can also contribute to stress levels, as students feel the weight of responsibilityto perform well and succeed in their chosen profession.Relationships and CommunicationPeers and Family Training ProctorsTeaching FacultyProgrammeAtmosphereCollege experiencePreparatory year Mental health subjectsSupportExtracurricular activities Feeling unwelcomed or unsupported CareerMotivation to join paramedicineLack of adequate knowledgeHigh awareness expressed significant anxiety Future career predictionsLimited job availabilityMale-dominated specialities.

Causes of stress and poor mental health in paramedic students : A cross-cultural qualitative investigation in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

https://amber.openrepository.com/bitstream/20.500.12417/1591/1/083_Adnan_Alzahrani.pdf

Causes of stress and poor mental health in paramedic students : A cross-cultural qualitative investigation in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

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