Burnout in UK Paramedics: A National Survey

This presentation summarises findings from a cross-sectional survey exploring burnout and sleep quality among UK paramedics. Paramedics face unique occupational stressors and have been shown to experience high rates of fatigue, depression, burnout, and poor sleep quality - posing risks to workforce retention and patient care. Despite this, national-level data on burnout prevalence in UK paramedics remain limited.

Aims

To explore the prevalence and contributing factors of burnout in UK paramedics. To examine the relationship between burnout and sleep quality.

Methodology
A cross-sectional online survey was distributed via the College of Paramedics and social media channels. Participants were practising UK paramedics who volunteered to complete the survey. The study employed validated measures:

Burnout: Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), assessing personal, work-related, and client-related burnout dimensions (scores 0–100).Sleep Quality: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), measuring seven subscales with a total score of 0–21 (higher scores indicating poorer sleep).Other variables: demographics, years of service, shift patterns, number of calls, intention to leave.

Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and logistic regression models in JASP (version 0.18.3).

Key Findings

Sample: 92 UK paramedics (mean age 36 years, 57.6% male).Burnout prevalence: 71.7% met the burnout threshold, with a mean CBI score of 58.7 (SD 17.7).Sleep quality: 83.7% classified with poor sleep quality (mean PSQI = 9.75, SD 3.82).Burnout and sleep quality showed a positive association (r = .31, p = .003).Significant predictors of burnout included years of service (each year increasing odds by ~20%) and hours per shift (each additional hour doubling odds of burnout).

Interpretation
The findings highlight high prevalence of moderate-to-severe burnout and poor sleep quality in UK paramedics, with workload and service conditions identified as key drivers. Over fifty percent of participants indicated they were unlikely to remain in the profession for five years, underlining retention risks for ambulance services.

Ethics

Ethical approval for the study was obtained via Teesside University’s research ethics procedures. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.

Presentation Context

This presentation was delivered at the College of Paramedics Annual Research Conference 2025, held in Birmingham on Wednesday, 9th July 2025.