@article{ref1,
title="Destress 9-1-1-an online mindfulness-based intervention in reducing stress among emergency medical dispatchers: a randomised controlled trial",
journal="Occupational and environmental medicine",
year="2019",
author="Lilly, Michelle and Calhoun, Rebecca and Painter, Ian and Beaton, Randal and Stangenes, Scott and Revere, Debra and Baseman, Janet and Meischke, Hendrika",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) experience significant stress in the workplace. Yet, interventions aimed at reducing work-related stress are difficult to implement due to the logistic challenges associated with the relatively unique EMD work environment. This investigation tested the efficacy of a 7-week online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) tailored to the EMD workforce. <br><br>METHODS: Active-duty EMDs from the USA and Canada (n=323) were randomly assigned to an intervention or wait list control condition. Participants completed surveys of stress and mindfulness at baseline, post intervention, and 3 months follow-up. Repeated measures mixed effects models were used to assess changes in stress and mindfulness. <br><br>RESULTS: Differences between the intervention group and control group in pre-post changes in stress using the Calgary Symptoms of Stress Inventory were statistically significant, with a difference of -10.0 (95% CI: -14.9, -5.2, p<0.001) for change from baseline to post intervention, and a difference of -6.5 (95% CI: -11.9, -1.1, p=0.02) for change from baseline to 3 months follow-up. Change in mindfulness scores did not differ between groups. However, increases in mindfulness scores were correlated with greater reductions in stress for all participants, regardless of group (r=-0.53, p<0.001). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Development of tailored online MBIs for employees working in challenging work environments offer a promising direction for prevention and intervention. This study found that a short, weekly online MBI for EMDs resulted in reductions in reports of stress. Implications of online MBIs in other emergency responding populations and directions for future research are discussed.<br><br>© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1351-0711",
doi="10.1136/oemed-2018-105598",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2018-105598"
}