Good health but many risk factors among ambulance personnel

A new dissertation from Jönköping University shows that ambulance personnel are often exposed to high physical and psychosocial demands, yet they report high self-rated health and work ability. However, the study identifies several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as high BMI and high blood pressure.

The work of ambulance personnel is demanding and often involves exposure to both physical and psychosocial stressors. According to the dissertation, the personnel report high levels of physical and psychosocial demands, risk of accidents, and threats and violence. Despite these challenges, they generally report good health and high work ability. They are also very physically active in their leisure time, with 75 percent reporting moderate to high physical activity, and have a low frequency of lifestyle-related risk factors.

"The work in ambulance services is characterised by a high level of physical activity with moderate to high intensity. Despite this, the results showed that the personnel continued to be physically active at the same intensity level even during their leisure time. Previous research has shown that groups that are very physically active in their work often tend to have a more sedentary leisure time, but this pattern does not seem to apply to the ambulance personnel in this study," says Anna Johnsen, lecturer at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, about the results in her dissertation.

Several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Despite this, several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were identified. Based on health examinations and blood tests, for example, 64 percent of the participants had high BMI, 45 percent had high blood pressure, and 64 percent had high LDL cholesterol (the composition that can cause cardiovascular diseases).

"A high proportion of the ambulance personnel had risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, indicating the need for regular health checks," points out Anna Johnsen.

Differences between women and men

Johnsen's dissertation also highlights differences between women and men in ambulance services. Women reported higher exposure to unfavourable work-related factors, such as fatigue, insufficient recovery, and sleep problems. The physical demands in ambulance services were reported as more demanding by women than by men, despite women having high physical capacity. In several of the tests, women had better results than men. At the same time, men had higher levels of certain risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

"Ambulance services should therefore reflect on whether the physical work environment is adapted for both women and men. Furthermore, the possibility of individualised training during working hours could be considered to help maintain the personnel's high physical capacity," says Johnsen.

Practical suggestions

Based on the results of the dissertation, Anna Johnsen suggests several changes to improve the work environment and health of ambulance personnel:

• Training during working hours: Ambulance personnel could be given the opportunity to train during working hours to maintain their high physical capacity.
• Health checks: Regular health checks could be introduced to detect risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and other health problems early.
• Adapted work environment: The work environment could be better adapted for both women and men, so that everyone can work under equally good conditions.

These changes could contribute to making the work environment more sustainable and healthy for ambulance personnel.