Voices from the frontline: a review of EMS first responders' experience of COVID-19 in Ireland
Brown, Gavin D.ORCID: 0000-0003-2555-4192, Largey, AnnORCID: 0000-0001-6408-4053, McMullan, CarolineORCID: 0000-0002-4229-5690, O'Shea, Gráinne and Reilly, Niamh
(2022)
Voices from the frontline: a review of EMS first responders' experience of COVID-19 in Ireland.
International Journal of Emergency Services
.
ISSN 2047-0894
Purpose
This study explored the experiences of Irish emergency medical services (EMS) first responders during the first nationwide restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) of research into healthcare workers' and first responders' experiences during the COVID-19 and 2003 SARS pandemics was performed. The SLR informed the content of an online questionnaire distributed via the Irish Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council to 2,092 first responders on its live register. Data analysis used both descriptive and content analysis.
Findings
EMS first responders faced many challenges including PPE quality, training on its use, issues with decontamination facilities, and organisational effectiveness. Emotional challenges included the anxiety experienced, the impact on families, and ethical dilemmas confronted related to patient care. Positive findings also emerged, such as first responders' dedication to working through the pandemic, collegiality, and the community goodwill displayed.
Originality/value
While investigations of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers have been undertaken globally, studies focussing exclusively on the experiences of EMS first responders have been rare. This study addressed this knowledge gap, providing an insight into the challenges and successes experienced by first responders and identifying opportunities for learning that can be applied to future public health emergencies.
Item Type:
Article (Published)
Refereed:
Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:
COVID-19; EMS First Responder; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Emergency Medical Services