Contextualizing an inventory for identifying critical incident exposure among Northwestern Ontario paramedics

Abstract

As first responders, paramedics provide pre-hospital care to the public and experience exposure to critical incidents. Critical incidents are events that produce strong emotional reactions in emergency service personnel and may impact their usual coping process. This exposure is thought to contribute to mental health disorders. When exploring paramedic’s exposure to critical incidents, existing measures such as the Critical Incident History Questionnaire (for law enforcement personnel) or the Critical Incident Inventory (for fire emergency workers) are often adapted for context to capture the occupational demands of paramedicine. Northwestern Ontario paramedics serve an area that has higher crime rates compared to the rest of Canada leading to the potential for greater exposure to critical incidents. Northwestern Ontario is also reported to have reduced access to mental health support. The purpose of this study was to contextualize the existing Critical Incident Inventory and EMS Critical Incident Stress Inventory for paramedics working in Northwestern Ontario. [...]