Psychosocial Determinants of Work Ability Among Paramedics: Implications for Occupational Health—Pilot Study

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Paramedics are routinely exposed to high psychosocial strain due to the demanding and unpredictable nature of emergency medical work. This study aimed to examine psychosocial and behavioral factors-working hours, stress, burnout, and physical activity-associated with self-reported work ability among paramedics in Poland. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July 2023 and January 2024 among paramedics-whether active in Emergency Medical Services or holding a second degree and employed as a nurse-using the Polish version of the Work Ability Index and a stress and burnout assessment tool recommended by the European Commission. Statistical analyses, including Spearman correlation and group comparisons, were performed with a significance level of α = 0.05. <b>Results:</b> Work ability correlated positively with physical activity and negatively with age, stress, and burnout (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The strongest association was observed between stress and burnout (ρ = 0.837). Paramedics working in ambulance services reported significantly higher stress and burnout levels than hospital personnel (<i>p</i> = 0.001 and <i>p</i> = 0.002), although work ability did not differ by workplace. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings indicate that psychosocial stress, burnout, and low physical activity substantially reduce work ability among paramedics, emphasizing the need for targeted preventive strategies-such as stress management, promotion of physical activity, and regulation of working hours-to support the health and sustainability of the emergency medical workforce.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-12-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14248805
Primary Topic
Workplace Health and Well-being
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Psychosocial Determinants of Work Ability Among Paramedics: Implications for Occupational Health—Pilot Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine
Workplace Health and Well-being
article

Psychosocial Determinants of Work Ability Among Paramedics: Implications for Occupational Health—Pilot Study

article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Paramedics are routinely exposed to high psychosocial strain due to the demanding and unpredictable nature of emergency medical work. This study aimed to examine psychosocial and behavioral factors-working hours, stress, burnout, and physical activity-associated with self-reported work ability among paramedics in Poland. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July 2023 and January 2024 among paramedics-whether active in Emergency Medical Services or holding a second degree and employed as a nurse-using the Polish version of the Work Ability Index and a stress and burnout assessment tool recommended by the European Commission. Statistical analyses, including Spearman correlation and group comparisons, were performed with a significance level of α = 0.05. <b>Results:</b> Work ability correlated positively with physical activity and negatively with age, stress, and burnout (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The strongest association was observed between stress and burnout (ρ = 0.837). Paramedics working in ambulance services reported significantly higher stress and burnout levels than hospital personnel (<i>p</i> = 0.001 and <i>p</i> = 0.002), although work ability did not differ by workplace. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings indicate that psychosocial stress, burnout, and low physical activity substantially reduce work ability among paramedics, emphasizing the need for targeted preventive strategies-such as stress management, promotion of physical activity, and regulation of working hours-to support the health and sustainability of the emergency medical workforce.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(24)
Wroclaw Medical University (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 25%
Workplace Health and Well-being
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