Student Paramedics' Experiences of Compassion Fatigue: a Phenomenological Mixed-methods Study

NCT06998602 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 24118
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 7
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study explored how student paramedics experience compassion fatigue - a type of emotional and physical exhaustion that can occur when regularly caring for others in distress. The researchers wanted to understand how student paramedics feel about compassion fatigue, how it affects their work, and what kind of support might help them cope. To do this, a group of student paramedics were interviewed about their personal experiences and also asked to complete a short questionnaire called the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). This questionnaire measured their levels of compassion satisfaction (positive feelings from helping others), burnout (emotional exhaustion), and secondary traumatic stress (stress from exposure to others' trauma).

Conditions

Compassion Fatigue; Burnout; Paramedical Professional; Occupational Stress

Keywords

Compassion Fatigue; Burnout; Secondary Traumatic Stress; Paramedic Students; Qualitative Research; ProQOL; Phenomenology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Themes related to student paramedics' experiences of compassion fatigue

  Key qualitative themes derived from semi-structured interviews with student paramedics, using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis framework. Themes will reflect participants' lived experiences, perceptions, and coping mechanisms related to compassion fatigue.

  Interviews were completed at a single time point, depending on when the voluntary participant joined the study (between the 19th November 2024 and 13th December 2024).

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Compassion Satisfaction score (ProQOL)

  The questionnaire was completed at a single time point, depending on when the voluntary participant joined the study, post-interview (between the 19th November 2024 and 13th December 2024).

• Burnout score (ProQOL)

  The questionnaire was completed at a single time point, depending on when the voluntary participant joined the study, post-interview (between the 19th November 2024 and 13th December 2024).

• Secondary Traumatic Stress score (ProQOL)

  The questionnaire was completed at a single time point, depending on when the voluntary participant joined the study, post-interview (between the 19th November 2024 and 13th December 2024).

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Student paramedics enrolled in the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice programme at the target University, a higher education institution located in Middlesbrough, UK. Participants were recruited from across multiple year groups, including apprentices, using purposive sampling.

You may qualify if:

• Participants will be eligible if they are a current Student Paramedic, studying at target University and have attended clinical placement.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Teesside University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Teesside University

Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Compassion Fatigue; Burnout, Psychological; Occupational Stress

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Fatigue; Fatigue; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Stress, Psychological; Occupational Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Senior Lecturer in Research Methods

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 20, 2025
• First Posted: May 31, 2025
• Study Start: November 19, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 17, 2025
• Study Completion: February 17, 2025
• Last Updated: June 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)