Paramedics’ attitudes to death - preliminary study

Abstract

Introduction. Paramedics’ profession is one of the most stressful medical jobs. It requires a great involvement in the occupation and constant responsibility for human lives. Paramedics are very often exposed to death, which contributes to take different attitudes to dying patients.

Aim. The aim of this research was to evaluate knowledge about paramedics’ attitudes to dying patients.

Material and methods. The total number of paramedics under research amounted to 33 men. The largest group of 25 people, in terms of age, consists of paramedics between 36-55 years of age. Every enquired person had contact with death, among these: “rare” (one demise a month) – 12 people, “frequent” (two or three demises per month) 19 paramedics, “very frequent” ( above four demises per month) – 2 people. As for the methodology, the research used the strategy of qualitative research on the basis of the method of diagnostic opinion poll, using the technique of uncategorized interview and the instrument which were the written opinions about the paramedics’ attitudes to dying patients. Analysis of qualitative research was done in two stages, reduction and data representation.

The results. As the result of open and theoretical coding, 33 analytical categories (CA) and 33 theoretical codes (CT) were elaborated. Out of them, by means of selective coding, 20 selective categories and 20 theoretical codes were obtained. Selective categories and theoretical codes, which had similar meaning, were divided into three groups where three theoretical notes were compiled.

Conclusion. In the examined group there were selected three attitudes to death, which accompany paramedics: neutral type, outstanding type and emotional type