The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EMS practitioners in the Western Cape: strategies to enhance wellness

Cermak, Radomir

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EMS practitioners in the Western Cape: strategies to enhance wellness

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape town

Department

Division of Emergency Medicine

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

This research study aimed to explore the psycho-social impact of stress endured by frontline emergency medical services providers during COVID-19 pandemic and to develop a framework for enhancing their wellness during healthcare crises of the same or similar nature. Prior to the pandemic, emergency medical services providers faced high occupational stress within their work environment, which was characterised by exposure to traumatic scenes and high-stress conditions. The COVID-19 crisis added unique pressures, including increased mortality rates, higher exposure to the virus, and lack of resources emphasising the need for improved wellness strategies. Conducted as a qualitative design, using instrumental case study at the Western Cape Government Emergency Medical Services, Khayelitsha base, Cape Town, this research delved into the experiences of emergency medical care providers during the pandemic, the psycho-social effects the pandemic had on these providers, the coping strategies employed during the crisis and the wellness-enhancing aspects within the context of a health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study data was obtained using one-on-one interviews with a sample of thirty emergency medical care providers and focus group interviews with nine managers from the Western Cape Government Emergency Medical Services, Khayelitsha base, Cape Town, who were operational during the pandemic. The samples included both staff who became infected with COVID-19 but recovered and those that did not contract COVID-19. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns in the participants' responses. The findings propose a structural framework for bolstering the wellness of emergency medical services providers, within four wellness contexts of spirituality, family, work, and community, with suggested interventions in each context The findings highlight the importance of recognising and addressing the mental and social toll that emergency medical care work during the COVID-19 pandemic had on providers, as well as the need for ongoing preparation, support and resilience building in high-stress situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed framework may provide basis for further implementation of specific psycho-social interventions within emergency medical services work environment and inform policy development in this regard.

Keywords

Medicine

Reference:

Collections

PhD / Doctoral

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