Charles Sturt University (CSU) is playing a key role in an international study into the mental wellbeing of new paramedicine graduates.

Key points

• - The study is the first international study of paramedic mental health and wellbeing
•  
• - CSU is partnering with Whitireia New Zealand in the project
•  
• - Five-year study will examine psychological wellbeing, job satisfaction and social support among graduate paramedics.

The International Paramedic Anxiety and Wellbeing and Stress study (IPAWS) will investigate whether key indicators of psychological wellbeing, job satisfaction and social support among graduate paramedics change with occupational experience.

The five-year longitudinal, quantitative study is being led by Whitireia New Zealand, a public tertiary institute of technology, through principal investigator Dr Elizabeth Asbury.

CSU lead on the project, lecturer in paramedicine Ms Clare Sutton, said, “This is a truly international research project with recruitment centres spread across Australasia, North America and Europe.

“Paramedicine students who graduate in the 12 months ending November 2018 will be recruited to the study to answer an online, confidential questionnaire.

“We hope to recruit a minimum of 500 paramedicine graduates and then follow them as they enter the profession and spend their early years in the field.”

Dr Asbury said, “This is the first, multi-centre international, longitudinal study of psychological wellbeing undertaken among paramedic graduates, and as such it will present a unique opportunity to explore the impact of the paramedic experience.

“Charles Sturt University has been instrumental in launching IPAWS across Australia and I cannot thank them enough for their help and support.”

The CSU IPAWS team includes Ms Sutton (CSU project lead), CSU academics Mr Sandy MacQuarrie, Dr Emmanuel Jesulola, and Ms Samantha Sheridan and Patricia Logan from the University’s School of Biomedical Sciences, and Ms Gail Fuller from CSU Spatial Analysis Unit.

The study is being funded by NZParamedic and Whitireia New Zealand.