Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey

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dc.contributor.advisorSaunders, Colleen
dc.contributor.advisorKhoza, Tshikani
dc.contributor.authorMorudu, David Moraka
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-09T11:25:31Z
dc.date.available2026-01-09T11:25:31Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2026-01-09T07:22:47Z
dc.description.abstractIntroduction: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers face frequent exposure to traumatic incidents. Such exposure can cause vicarious trauma (VT), a psychological condition characterized by symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VT affects individuals empathetically engaged with trauma survivors, resulting in emotional, cognitive, and physical impacts that may lead to burnout. The Vicarious Trauma Scale (VTS) is a validated tool for assessing vicarious trauma. The aim of this study was to measure distress and exposure to VT, and to describe the awareness and utilisation of psychological support services (PSS), by EMS providers in Limpopo Government EMS, South Africa. Methods: A narrative review of the literature pertaining to vicarious trauma and the utilisation of psychological support services among prehospital emergency care providers is provided in Part A. Part B describes an observational cross-sectional study employed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire incorporating the VTS and Satisfaction with Work Scale in EMS personnel in Limpopo province, South Africa. Results: Of the 258 participants (mean age: 46.2 ± 5.8 years), 58.5% were male, and 77.5% were employed in clinical or operational roles. The average VTS score was 36.6 ± 8.6, with 29.8% of participants falling into the high VT category. While 82.6% reported being exposed to distressing material, only 16.3% found it challenging to cope. Job satisfaction was moderate, with a mean score of 23.4 ± 6.0, and 65.5% considered their job to be ideal. Common coping strategies included listening to music (65.5%), reading (62.8%), and participating in debriefing sessions (55.0%). However, 61.2% were not aware of available PSS, and only 11.6% had utilized them. Regression analysis indicated that being female, along with the use of alcohol and non-prescription medications, was associated with higher VTS scores, while age and job satisfaction were linked to lower scores. Conclusion: Limpopo EMS providers encounter VT, yet PSS use seems low, indicating a major gap in mental health interventions, hence the need for removal of access and utilization barriers to ensure well-being of providers and quality of patient care.
dc.identifier.apacitationMorudu, D. M. (2025). <i>Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey</i>. (). Universty of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42513en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMorudu, David Moraka. <i>"Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey."</i> ., Universty of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42513en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMorudu, D.M. 2025. Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey. . Universty of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42513en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Morudu, David Moraka AB - Introduction: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers face frequent exposure to traumatic incidents. Such exposure can cause vicarious trauma (VT), a psychological condition characterized by symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). VT affects individuals empathetically engaged with trauma survivors, resulting in emotional, cognitive, and physical impacts that may lead to burnout. The Vicarious Trauma Scale (VTS) is a validated tool for assessing vicarious trauma. The aim of this study was to measure distress and exposure to VT, and to describe the awareness and utilisation of psychological support services (PSS), by EMS providers in Limpopo Government EMS, South Africa. Methods: A narrative review of the literature pertaining to vicarious trauma and the utilisation of psychological support services among prehospital emergency care providers is provided in Part A. Part B describes an observational cross-sectional study employed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire incorporating the VTS and Satisfaction with Work Scale in EMS personnel in Limpopo province, South Africa. Results: Of the 258 participants (mean age: 46.2 ± 5.8 years), 58.5% were male, and 77.5% were employed in clinical or operational roles. The average VTS score was 36.6 ± 8.6, with 29.8% of participants falling into the high VT category. While 82.6% reported being exposed to distressing material, only 16.3% found it challenging to cope. Job satisfaction was moderate, with a mean score of 23.4 ± 6.0, and 65.5% considered their job to be ideal. Common coping strategies included listening to music (65.5%), reading (62.8%), and participating in debriefing sessions (55.0%). However, 61.2% were not aware of available PSS, and only 11.6% had utilized them. Regression analysis indicated that being female, along with the use of alcohol and non-prescription medications, was associated with higher VTS scores, while age and job satisfaction were linked to lower scores. Conclusion: Limpopo EMS providers encounter VT, yet PSS use seems low, indicating a major gap in mental health interventions, hence the need for removal of access and utilization barriers to ensure well-being of providers and quality of patient care. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Limpopo KW - Emergency Medical Services LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - Universty of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey TI - Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42513 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42513
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMorudu DM. Assessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey. []. Universty of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Division of Emergency Medicine, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42513en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDivision of Emergency Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversty of Cape Town
dc.subjectLimpopo
dc.subjectEmergency Medical Services
dc.titleAssessing vicarious traumatisation and utilisation of psychological support services amongst prehospital emergency care providers in Limpopo Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMPhil
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