Impact of standby points on the workday of ambulance personnel - a study on motivation, work environment and meaningful work of ambulance personnel in Oslo and Akershus counties

Abstract

Background: In 2016 the first standby point was implemented by Oslo University Hospital in Norway, in order to improve response times. There is limited previous research regarding the effects of standby points, but the research available suggest that the use of standby points have both negative physical and mental effects. This study aims to further explore the effects the arrangement of standby points have on the ambulance personnel regarding motivation, work environment and meaningful work. Research question: How does ambulance personnel in Oslo and Akershus counties experience the impact of standby points on their workday? Method: Two-staged approach where data from the prehospital clinic was analyzed and used to formulate possible questions for the second stage, the main data collection stage, of qualitative one-to-one interviews. 22 respondents participated and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The ambulance personnel experienced that the arrangement of standby points had affected the work environment negatively regarding reduced social relations, station culture and lack of facilities. Increased focus from the management regarding response times and an experienced increase in meaningless assignments was found. Factors increasing and decreasing motivation were identified. A majority of the respondents distinguished between the motivation for the work itself and the decline of motivation due to standby points. Standby points have negatively impacted the time and opportunity for professional development and to perform other work tasks at the station. A majority of the respondents found the work itself meaningful, but factors related to standby points have resulted in experienced meaninglessness. Conclusion: The results of this study shows that the workday of the ambulance personnel has been impacted by the arrangement of standby points. A combination of motivational theories and job meaningfulness can be used to describe the experienced effects of standby points. The study found that factors regarding facilities, social relations and professional development should be focused on by the management, and that implementing more standby points 2 could improve motivation and the work environment. The results also indicate a probable increase in turnover based on the negative factors found, which could lead to increased costs.