Date of Award

12-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Executive Leadership

First Supervisor

C. Michael Robinson, Ed.D.

Second Supervisor

Loretta Quigley, Ed.D.

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological research study was to identify the role of emergency medical services (EMS) organizations in preparing and supporting emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with the effects of peritraumatic dissociation (PD). Specifically, the aim was to gain insight into the shared phenomena of PD and the impact of occupational stress on EMTs and EMS managers, in a county in Central New York State, to identify, from the perspective of a total of eight practicing EMTs and EMS managers, the services, the employee benefits, and the activities that assist in destigmatizing and minimizing the effects of PD. Two major themes developed from the shared phenomena of peritraumatic dissociation and the impact of occupational stress. The essence of the study participants lived experiences culminated in the identification of stress experiences and leadership challenges as the major themes. The recommendation of this study is professional development and policy advocacy to address the stigma of mental health illness in the workplace and EMS organizational advocacy for at-risk employees experiencing cumulative stress or the impact of a traumatic event.

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