Grant: Operating Grant: College and Community Innovation Social Innovation Fund

<html> <head> </head> <body> Among first responders, paramedics have an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment notes that among paramedics, 1 in 4 have potentially diagnosable levels of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 1 in 3 of depression, and 1 in 3 of anxiety disorders. With these stark numbers and considering known vacancies in the workforce, understanding the complexities of paramedic work, culture, and community is important. Our study will build on research that describes how, against the backdrop of high rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, paramedics often become disassociated, dissatisfied, and disillusioned due to factors of the job that instill a sense of role identity dissonance. We are responding to a call for research on testing ways for paramedic programs to become better equipped to prepare students for more realistic and meaningful work. Specifically, we will explore dimensions of the self and role identity among 3 paramedic student groups: 1) those in the 1st semester of a 2-year college program; 2) those in a clinical preceptorship in the 4th semester of their program; and 3) program graduates who have been hired by a service and are less than 1 year on the job. Our interdisciplinary team includes academics and professionals working in the paramedic field. Together, we will work towards the following anticipated outcomes: Determine the nuances of role identity at key stages of career development to gauge the significance of these factors to job satisfaction. Update learning outcomes for future students through evidence-based data on how paramedic programs could aid in combating potential role identity dissonance. Contribute to literature that explores mental health among first responders in early career stages. The objectives of this research are to: -Explore the dimensions of the self and role identity among paramedic students at 3 key time points. -Build on paramedic role identity dissonance research and respond to a call for research to focus on understanding and adapting education of paramedic students to improve outcomes and amend expectations. -Help prepare the future workforce to be able to adapt to social, institutional, and medical realities of the job to foster a stronger sense of satisfaction and role identity fulfillment. -Adapt pedagogy to prioritize evidence-based suggestions for working with calls beyond simply acute medical emergency calls. </body> </html>