Leadership characteristics to reduce staff attrition and absence related to burnout

Burnout among the paramedic profession is an increasing problem and not enough is being done to improve the current climate. It is for this reason that paramedics should individually contribute to the reduction of this issue by developing their own leadership characteristics, such as emotional intelligence, social intelligence, and stress and conflict management. Evidence suggests that these qualities and behaviours reduce the possibility of being subject to burnout symptomology. Implementing positive stress and conflict-management strategies will create a healthcare environment, which will be more enjoyable to work in. Emotional and social intelligence increase the resilience of prehospital clinicians who are subject to occupational challenges on a daily basis. Wider influences such as ambulance trusts, health services and governing bodies have implemented strategies to tackle this issue but clinicians can lead the change from the front line.