Post by David Elkington

The most critical piece of equipment on any ambulance isn't the defib. It's the clinician. A 2025 scoping review in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine found that burnout, fatigue, and psychological strain in ambulance clinicians directly increase the risk of adverse events for staff and patients. Research published just this year reinforces that self-efficacy and resilience are the strongest protective factors against occupational stress in pre-hospital crews. We invest heavily in clinical skills, protocols, and kit. But if the person holding the laryngoscope is running on empty, all of that means nothing. Pre-hospital medicine is unpredictable, emotionally demanding, and relentless. The evidence is catching up to what crews have known for years. Wellbeing isn't a soft issue. It's a clinical governance issue. 🚑 #Paramedicine #PreHospital #EMS #MentalHealth #PatientSafety #ClinicalLeadership