Professional Quality of Life among Emergency Healthcare Workers in Erzurum: Rural and Urban Differences

Aim:The professional quality of life for emergency department (ED) and emergency medical services (EMS) workers is affected by many factors. Environmental and operational differences between rural and urban settings may further influence these outcomes. This study aimed to compare the professional quality of life among emergency healthcare workers employed in rural and urban areas.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2025 and May 2026 in Erzurum, Türkiye. Physicians, nurses, and EMS personnel working in EDs and EMS stations were invited to participate. Professional quality of life was assessed using the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-5). Sociodemographic and occupational characteristics were also collected and compared between rural and urban healthcare workers.Results: A total of 203 healthcare professionals were included in the study, of whom 178 (87.7%) worked in rural areas and 25 (12.3%) in urban areas. Urban participants were significantly older and had greater professional seniority than rural participants (p