Occupational Stress and Burnout with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Emergency Medical Personnel.
Studies in health technology and informatics · 2025-06-26 · Observational study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Emergency medical personnel (EMP) face high levels of occupational stress and are at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to the physical demands of their work. OBJECTIVE: This study explored and telemonitored the relationship between occupational stress, burnout, and WMSDs in EMP. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from 430 EMPs working in emergency medical services in Maha Sarakham province, Thailand, using an online questionnaire that included questions about work-related stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal injuries. RESULTS: The findings revealed that most emergency medical personnel reported their stress levels as normal (36.98.4%), followed by mild stress (25.12%). Some workers experienced high levels of stress (14.42%) and a high prevalence of burnout, with emotional exhaustion (47.44%). The most frequently reported musculoskeletal disorders were back pain (49.77%), neck pain (24.19%), and shoulder pain (22.09%). We found a significant relationship between occupational stress and WMSDs (p<0.05) (r= 0.113, p-value 0.019), indicating the association between stress and experiencing musculoskeletal pain and injuries. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that stress management and applying ergonomic principles may help reduce the occurrence of WMSDs and improve the overall well-being of emergency medical personnel.