Burnout in UK Paramedics: a National Survey

Completed

• Conditions: Burnout; Sleep; Paramedical Professional; Shift Work

• Registration Number: NCT06989606
• Lead Sponsor: Teesside University

Brief Summary

The aim of this observational study is to learn how common burnout is among UK paramedics and what factors are associated with it. It also aims to explore how burnout relates to sleep quality and the intention to leave the profession. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. What is the prevalence of burnout among UK paramedics?

2. How is burnout related to sleep quality?

3. What personal or job-related factors are linked to higher levels of burnout?

4. Does burnout relate to paramedics' intentions to leave the profession?

Participants completed an online survey that included:

1. Demographic questions (e.g. age, years of service, shift patterns)

2. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) to assess burnout

3. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure sleep quality

Questions about their intention to leave the profession

Researchers analysed the responses using statistical techniques to identify relationships between burnout, sleep quality, and work-related factors.

Detailed Description

This cross-sectional observational study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of burnout among UK paramedics, with a particular focus on the relationship between burnout and sleep quality. The impetus for this research stems from increasing concerns about workforce sustainability within UK ambulance services, where high attrition rates and recruitment challenges have raised concerns about the occupational wellbeing of paramedics. Burnout and poor sleep quality are known to negatively impact both individual health and job performance, making this an urgent area for empirical study.

Data were collected via an anonymous online survey disseminated through the College of Paramedics and social media channels. The survey comprised demographic questions (e.g. age, gender, years of service, shift length, and number of calls attended), the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) to assess personal, work-related, and client-related burnout, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to evaluate various dimensions of sleep quality. The survey also included an item assessing intention to leave the profession.

There are approximately 22,000 registrants (full, student and associate members) to the CoP (CoP, 2021), representing the total potential sample size eligible to complete the survey. A power analysis using an online sample size calculator (http://www.raosoft.com/samplesize.html) - based on a 50% response distribution, a 5% margin of error, and an 80% confidence level - indicates that the required sample size will be 164. To adjust for incomplete data, the sample size has been increased by 10%, indicating a sample of 181.

Analyses were conducted using JASP. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics and prevalence rates. Correlational analyses (both frequentist and Bayesian) examined associations between burnout scores, sleep quality, and key demographic and occupational variables. Logistic regression was employed to explore predictors of burnout, including PSQI scores, shift duration, call volume, and years of service.

This study provides novel insights into the occupational wellbeing of UK paramedics, with implications for workforce planning, health promotion, and retention strategies within emergency medical services.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-03-10
• Primary Completion: 2023-04-21
• Study Completion: 2023-04-21
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-16
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-24
• Study First Posted: 2025-05-25
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 92

Inclusion Criteria

• A member of the College of Paramedics, and/or a qualified or student Paramedic.
• At least 18 years of age to be able to provide consent to take part in the online survey.
• Able to read and write in the English language.

Exclusion Criteria

• Under the age of 18 years.
• Not a Paramedic (As associate members of the College of Paramedics are not required to be a paramedic).
• Not able to read and write in the English language.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) questionnaire (Kristensen et al., 2005)	This was completed at a single time point, depending on when the voluntary participant completed the questionnaire (between 10 March 2023 and 21 April 2023).	The CBI assesses three dimensions: personal burnout, work-related burnout, and client-related burnout. A contributing factor of burnout is sleeping pattern and quality. The PSQI assesses sleep quality and disturbances through seven subscales: sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction. These seven domains of sleep quality can be summed to obtain a maximum achievable score of 21, which indicates the highest level of sleep disturbance.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire (Buysse et al., 1989).	This was completed at a single time point, depending on when the voluntary participant completed the questionnaire (between 10 March 2023 and 21 April 2023).	The PSQI assesses sleep quality and disturbances through seven subscales: sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction. These seven domains of sleep quality can be summed to obtain a maximum achievable score of 21, which indicates the highest level of sleep disturbance.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Teesside University; 🇬🇧 Middlesbrough, United Kingdom