Exploration of The Relationship Between Organizational Support Factors in Completing Mindfulness Interventions and Changes in Stress Levels Among Emergency Medical Dispatchers

Abstract

BackgroundEmergency medical dispatchers (EMD) are the first of the first responders. They are exposed to high stress situations multiple times a day and are required to maintain a calm and composed demeanor while trying to assist people in an emergency situation and emotional situation, all while at the same time communicating important information with the first responders that will arrive at the scene. They work long hours and often have to work overtime. Research has shown this can lead to high levels of stress and burnout among this population which may also lead to additional health related complications such as depression, suicidal ideations, obesity, or cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that mindfulness interventions that were designed for other first responders such as police officers, fire fighters, or emergency department personnel have been beneficial. An online mindfulness-based training called Destress 9-1-1 was designed specifically to address the needs of emergency medical dispatchers experiencing high stress, quick paced environments. This is a seven-week online mindfulness training that consists of one thirty-minute training weekly teaching mindfulness skills that EMDs can use throughout their day to minimize stress levels. Objective This project aimed to determine if organizational support factors had an impact on EMDs engagement in mindfulness practices and perceived daily stress after completing the seven-week online mindfulness training. Methods Survey data was collected from the participants that completed the DeStress 9-1-1 online mindfulness training. The survey measured the participants’ perceptions of the organizational support for engaging in the mindfulness training and their experience with the training. Survey questions addressed factors that contributed to participants completing the training, such as the location they took the training, whether the training was mandatory or not, and what type of support the participants received from their organization in completing the training. Questions also addressed the participants’ level of perceived stress reduction after taking the training as well as how often they practiced the skills taught in the training. Descriptive and bivariate analysis (t-tests, chi-square tests, and Anova tests) were used to determine the association of organizational support factors, (mandatory vs not mandatory, location where the training was completed, support received from the organization), and daily practices as well as perceived stress of the emergency medical dispatchers. Results The sample consisted of 603 emergency medical dispatchers who completed all seven modules of the DeStress 9-1-1 online mindfulness training intervention and the post-training survey. Participants represented agencies across the United States and its territories, with the largest proportion of respondents (28%) located in Region IV (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). The majority of respondents (68%) identified their role as both call receiver and dispatcher. The results indicated that participants who were not mandated to take the training had a higher self-reported rate of stress reduction (t= -3.25, p = .001) and more frequent engagement in practicing the skills taught in the training ( t= -3.51, p = .001) , compared to EMDs who reported the training was a work requirement. Those who took the training at home had a higher level of self-reported overall stress reduction than those who took it at work (t= 2.34, p = .023). The results also indicate that participants who received organizational support had a higher level of self-reported stress reduction (F (3, 378) = 5.52, p = .001) than participants who indicated they received no support. Participants who received organizational support also indicated a higher frequency of practicing mindfulness (F (3, 369) = 3.85), p = .010) than participants who indicated they received no support. A correlation test was conducted to determine a relationship between practice frequency of the skills learned in the training and a change in perceived stress reduction. The results indicated that those who practiced the skills taught during the training reported decreased daily stress (p < .001, 95% CI [0.67, 0.73]). There was not a significant statistical difference in practice frequency between those who took the training at work versus those who took the training at home (t = .091, p = .928). Conclusion The findings indicated a greater association between participants who were not mandated to complete the training and those who were able to complete the training at home with higher levels of self-reported perceived stress reduction following completion of the training. The results also demonstrated that participants who practiced the skills taught during the training reported decreased daily stress. These findings may help inform organizational policies and workplace wellness practices within emergency call centers. Potential applications include incorporating the training into onboarding programs for new employees as well as ongoing wellness training opportunities for current employees. Organizations should consider providing flexibility and designated time to complete the training to allow EMDs to engage in the training in a manner that is most beneficial to them. Future research could include longitudinal studies to determine whether stress reduction and mindfulness practice frequency are sustained over time among EMDs. Additional research may also examine the impact of the training environment, organizational culture, and leadership factors, such as supervisor attitudes and leadership engagement, as well as organizational conditions including staffing adequacy, turnover rates, and mandatory overtime.