Erin Smith
Doctorate
Doctorate Title: Paramedic perception of risk and willingness to work during disaster: A qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Doctorate Description: Paramedics, as emergency healthcare workers and ‘frontline’ responders, are expected to be both willing and able to respond when disaster strikes. In reality, paramedics may be reluctant to work when the situation poses a possible threat to their own safety, their co-workers, or that of their families. Consequently, can ambulance services expect to have an adequate supply of paramedics that will be willing to work during disasters? Through the use of paramedic focus groups, interviews and a national quantitative survey, this PhD research demonstrated that ambulance services should not assume that all paramedics will be willing to report to work during disasters. This willingness to work is directly influenced by paramedics’ perceptions of risk, as well as the type, duration, location, and visibility of the disaster. The impact of this should be considered in emergency preparedness and planning.
Details:
Type: PhD
University: Monash University
Primary Supervisor: Professor Frank Archer
Category: Other
Funding:
Start Date: 2006
End Date: 2009
Status: Complete
Thesis
ThesisResearch Interests
Publications
Paramedic PhD is endorsed by:
