This episode is cross share from Tiff’s “Roll With The Punches” podcast.
Dr Sandy MacQuarrie offered up a hearty conversation on his PhD research into the physiological health status of paramedics and the correlation between health status, job performance and of course mental health. A subject that is very close to our hearts here at the foundation.
A career paramedic (ground and flight) since 1992 along with senior management positions in EMS in Canada, Sandy's research stemmed from his own lived experience and a challenging decline in his own wellbeing. Once he got on top of that he has spent six years stepping into the world of academia (not his natural habitat, but thank #%@$ he did because this area of research is crucial to us first responders) researching the cause and effect of a paramedic's health status on their job performance and likewise, the effect of the job itself on a paramedic's health status. Sandy's findings are crucial to understanding, supporting and creating a better system for paramedics and first responders. And likely the rest of us too.
Thanks for an awesome chat Tiff and Sandy.