TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Destress 9-1-1-an online mindfulness-based intervention in reducing stress among emergency medical dispatchers: a randomised controlled trial
JO  - Occupational and environmental medicine
A1  - Lilly, Michelle
A1  - Calhoun, Rebecca
A1  - Painter, Ian
A1  - Beaton, Randal
A1  - Stangenes, Scott
A1  - Revere, Debra
A1  - Baseman, Janet
A1  - Meischke, Hendrika
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 1351-0711
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2018-105598
ID  - ref1
ER  -