Expecting the unexpected: A mixed methods study of violence to EMS responders in an urban fire department

Jennifer A Taylor; Brittany Barnes; Andrea L Davis; Jasmine Wright; Shannon Widman; Michael LeVasseur

doi:10.1002/ajim.22550

Expecting the unexpected: A mixed methods study of violence to EMS responders in an urban fire department

Jennifer A Taylor, Brittany Barnes, Andrea L Davis, Jasmine Wright, Shannon Widman Michael LeVasseur

American journal of industrial medicine, v 59(2)

Feb 2016

: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22550

: 26725756

(1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22550

Published, Version of Record (VoR)

Firefighters - statistics & numerical data

United States - epidemiology

Health Status Disparities

Humans

Middle Aged

Focus Groups

Occupational Injuries - prevention & control

Emergency Responders - psychology

Male

Occupational Injuries - epidemiology

Occupational Injuries - etiology

Urban Population

Firefighters - psychology

Workplace Violence - prevention & control

Workplace Violence - statistics & numerical data

Sex Factors

Adult

Female

Patients - psychology

Workplace Violence - psychology

Emergency Responders - statistics & numerical data

Research Design

Struck by injuries experienced by females were observed to be higher compared to males in an urban fire department. The disparity was investigated while gaining a grounded understanding of EMS responder experiences from patient-initiated violence. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed. Using a linked injury dataset, patient-initiated violence estimates were calculated comparing genders. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group were conducted with injured EMS responders. Paramedics had significantly higher odds for patient-initiated violence injuries than firefighters (OR 14.4, 95%CI: 9.2-22.2, P < 0.001). Females reported increased odds of patient-initiated violence injuries compared to males (OR = 6.25, 95%CI 3.8-10.2), but this relationship was entirely mediated through occupation (AOR = 1.64, 95%CI 0.94-2.85). Qualitative data illuminated the impact of patient-initiated violence and highlighted important organizational opportunities for intervention. Mixed methods greatly enhanced the assessment of EMS responder patient-initiated violence prevention.

: Expecting the unexpected: A mixed methods study of violence to EMS responders in an urban fire department
: Jennifer A Taylor - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Brittany Barnes - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Andrea L Davis - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jasmine Wright - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Shannon Widman - Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Michael LeVasseur - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
: American journal of industrial medicine, v 59(2)
: Wiley; United States
: 1R25MD006792-01 / NIMHD NIH HHS R25 MD006792 / NIMHD NIH HHS
: Journal article
: English
: Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Environmental and Occupational Health
: WOS:000368170300007
: 2-s2.0-84954363533
: 991014877798604721

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esploro.research.conf.research.portal.label.prefix.inciteWOSResearchAreas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health