Occupational Stress and Burnout with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Emergency Medical Personnel.

INTRODUCTION

Emergency medical personnel (EMP) face high levels of occupational stress and are at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to the physical demands of their work.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored and telemonitored the relationship between occupational stress, burnout, and WMSDs in EMP.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from 430 EMPs working in emergency medical services in Maha Sarakham province, Thailand, using an online questionnaire that included questions about work-related stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal injuries.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that most emergency medical personnel reported their stress levels as normal (36.98.4%), followed by mild stress (25.12%). Some workers experienced high levels of stress (14.42%) and a high prevalence of burnout, with emotional exhaustion (47.44%). The most frequently reported musculoskeletal disorders were back pain (49.77%), neck pain (24.19%), and shoulder pain (22.09%). We found a significant relationship between occupational stress and WMSDs (p<0.05) (r= 0.113, p-value 0.019), indicating the association between stress and experiencing musculoskeletal pain and injuries.

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that stress management and applying ergonomic principles may help reduce the occurrence of WMSDs and improve the overall well-being of emergency medical personnel.