Developing resilience

Question 1

What is resilience?

Answer 1

the ability to overcome adversity and grow stronger from the experience. It is not just for significant or adverse incident but for everyday practice.

Question 2

What are some paramedic demands?

Answer 2

Long and antisocial working hours, Fluctuating complexity and acuity of patients, Degrees of emotional investment.

Question 3

What is compassion fatigue?

Answer 3

the physical, emotional and spiritual exhaustion resulting from caring for patients and witnessing pain and suffering.

Question 4

What is burn out?

Answer 4

the progressive development, feelings of exhaustion, cynicism and hopelessness due to workload demands.

Question 5

Signs to spot

Answer 5

headaches, feeling negative, unexplained exhaustion, irritable, insomnia and endless anxiety.

Question 6

Maintaining resilience

Answer 6

keep things in perspective, keep your sense of humour, allow yourself to make mistakes, remind yourself what you can do and be aware of your strengths.

Question 7

Examples of coping strategies

Answer 7

walk, meditate, stay up late, make goals and plans and eating junk food.

Question 8

Resilience coping factors

Answer 8

trusted social support, physical self-care, meaningful work, self-acceptance and work life balance.