Paramedic PTSD double that of other health professionals

Rates of PTSD among Australian paramedics are estimated to be twice as high as other health professionals, according to a new study.

Research commissioned by the Ambulance Employees Association (AEA) and conducted by Flinders University, found that paramedics are the ‘forgotten profession’ within the healthcare system and are not receiving enough help to overcome psychological injuries caused by accumulated traumas they confronted by in their work.

The situation is often compounded by the fact that WorkCover (called Return to Work in South Australia) claims are prolonged, stressful and often difficult, as burden of proof is hard to establish and the onus is on an individual to provide evidence of psychological injury while they are unwell.

Read more here at Hospital and Healthcare