By Stephen Brun
Paramedics on P.E.I. have resources available to them if they’re assaulted while on the job, says the general manager of Island EMS.
A recent study of nearly 1,400 paramedics in Ontario and Nova Scotia found more than two-thirds said they’ve experienced some form of abuse, mainly from the very patients they’re trying to help.
Island EMS general manager Matthew Crossman said abuse is uncommon among the roughly 150 EMS providers on P.E.I., but that doesn’t mean incidents are always reported to management.
“It’s one of the things we’re always aware of…but we haven’t had any reported incidents from our staff,” he said.
“That doesn’t mean an isolated case doesn’t happen. Sometimes, due to a patient’s condition or the effects of drugs or alcohol, those verbal things do come up rather than physical.”
The Ontario and Nova Scotia study, cited as the first of its kind in Canada, found the majority of reported mistreatment was verbal abuse from patients and their friends and family.
Researchers said examples of abuse in those provinces ranged from paramedics being kicked to even being stabbed. Some workers also reported verbal attacks and intimidation by co-workers or bystanders.
Some reports also included incidences of sexual abuse.
Crossman, a paramedic for 12 years before taking the helm at Island EMS, knows first hand what dangers are present on the job.
“Once I was physically assaulted by a patient that was under the influence of narcotics,” he said, adding that a police officer was also present at the scene. “I wasn’t physically hurt by the assault, but still the person did try and touch me personally.”
Island EMS has several resources in place for employees who have suffered any form of abuse.
Crossman said the company’s “In Confidence” program allows paramedics to contact trained medical and mental health personnel, while staff can also report an incident directly to management without fear of punitive consequences.
Three months ago, 16 Island EMS staff members also completed training for a peer-support program.
“There’s been a few (paramedics) that I believe have taken advantage of it, not so much because of violence, but more so because of traumatic calls,” Crossman said.
He added that most paramedicine training programs accredited by the Canadian Medical Association – like the one at Holland College in Charlottetown – also teach aspiring paramedics how to deal with abusive situations.
