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MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
Shiftwork damages paramedics’ health: research
More than 10 per cent of Melbourne paramedics suffer from severe or extremely
severe depression, according to new research.
A total of 342 Metropolitan Ambulance service staff on shiftwork rosters completed
a survey, which also revealed that:
paramedics are at greater risk of chronic fatigue than other shiftworkers;
almost 25 per cent of paramedics suffer from an above-normal degree of
anxiety; and
almost 40 per cent suffer from stress.
Most paramedics in the survey worked at least 48 hours a week: two 10-hour
dayshifts and two 14-hour nightshifts. It seems likely that many also worked
overtime.
The research was carried out by Associate Professor Andrew Francis from the
Division of Psychology within RMIT’s School of Health Sciences, with principal
researcher James Courtney and colleague Professor Susan Paxton, both from La
Trobe University. Mr Courtney began the research while undertaking Honours
study at RMIT.
Associate Professor Francis said poor sleep quality was the key factor in
explaining why Melbourne paramedics were at increased risk of fatigue,
depression, anxiety and stress.
“Paramedics are paying the cost of rotating shiftwork,” he said. “Only 30 per cent of
paramedics are good sleepers. That’s not surprising when they have to start work
at 7am on dayshifts, and when long nightshifts require a quick turnaround.”
Mr Courtney said: “Ambulance services need to be provided 24 hours a day, but
the way those services are staffed needs to be reconsidered.
“Paramedics on 14-hour nightshifts, in particular, are likely to be particularly tired –
and that poses a high and potentially unsustainable demand on their ability to think
quickly and effectively where lives can be at risk.”
For interviews: Associate Professor Andrew Francis, (03) 9925 7782 or 0400
180 262, or James Courtney, 0488 333 348.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, David Glanz,
(03) 9925 2807 or 0438 547 723, or La Trobe University Media and
Communications, Lisa Prowling, (03) 9479 5353.
25 October, 2010
NEWS 
