Characteristics of Confidence and Preparedness in Paramedics in Metropolitan, Regional, and Rural Australia to Manage Mental-Health-Related Presentations: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kate Emond, Melanie Bish, Michael Savic, Dan I. Lubman, Terence McCann, Karen Smith and George Mnatzaganian
Additional contact information
Kate Emond: La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo 3552, Australia
Melanie Bish: La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo 3552, Australia
Michael Savic: Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne 3120, Australia
Dan I. Lubman: Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne 3120, Australia
Terence McCann: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne 3011, Australia
Karen Smith: Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne 3500, Australia
George Mnatzaganian: La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, P.O. Box 199, Bendigo 3552, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Mental-health-related presentations account for a considerable proportion of the paramedic’s workload in prehospital care. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the perceived confidence and preparedness of paramedics in Australian metropolitan and rural areas to manage mental-health-related presentations. Overall, 1140 paramedics were surveyed. Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables by sex and location of practice; continuous variables were compared using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Perceived confidence and preparedness were each modelled in multivariable ordinal regressions. Female paramedics were younger with higher qualifications but were less experienced than their male counterparts. Compared to paramedics working in metropolitan regions, those working in rural and regional areas were generally older with fewer qualifications and were significantly less confident and less prepared to manage mental health presentations ( p = 0.001). Compared to male paramedics, females were less confident ( p = 0.003), although equally prepared ( p = 0.1) to manage mental health presentations. These results suggest that higher qualifications from the tertiary sector may not be adequately preparing paramedics to manage mental health presentations, which signifies a disparity between education provided and workforce preparedness. Further work is required to address the education and training requirements of paramedics in regional and rural areas to increase confidence and preparedness in managing mental health presentations.

Keywords: mental health; rural; prehospital care; paramedic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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