Workplace belonging is greatly related to the professional wellbeing of a paramedic, as it provides them with a sense of interconnectedness and community, which can act as a protective barrier to ‘ill-being’. A sense of belonging requires paramedics to have developed social skills in which they are able to communicate and form supportive networks with their colleagues and show compassion to patients in a professional setting. Conversely, paramedics with unhealthy coping strategies are not able to manage their emotions effectively, which can lead to increased fatigue, stress, and burnout (Bevan et al., 2022). This can be detrimental to a paramedic as their personal wellbeing can deteriorate, as increased fatigue can lead to physical injury, negatively affecting their ability to work and hindering their economic status. Additionally, studies show that paramedics are at a higher risk of having poor wellbeing than other professions due to the repeated exposure to traumatic events and high stress situations (Bevan et al., 2022). This indicates the need for prioritising emotional intelligence and social skills among paramedics, which assists in forming healthy coping strategies to improve both their personal and professional …show more content…
Research suggests that paramedics with robust emotional intelligence can expand on their resilience and posttraumatic growth, where challenges can be seen as opportunities to learn and develop key skills in maintaining psychological wellbeing (Coyte et al., 2023). Emotional intelligence is fundamental to the development of paramedics, as those who demonstrate greater emotional intelligence are more equipped at problem solving and rational thinking. These skills can translate into clinical practice where the paramedic is more equipped to care for their patients and provide a more desirable outcome than those without a developed skillset (O’Hara et al., 2014). Developing healthy coping strategies relating to the demands and role of a paramedic, paramedics can become better healthcare professionals, and help mitigate risks associated with working in high-risk environments (Dodd et al., 2022). Furthermore, a paramedic must also develop social skills such as interpersonal communication skills to progress as a healthcare professional. As paramedic practice is centred around the patient, having better communication skills, paramedics can gain a sophisticated understanding and insight into the patient’s concerns. Thus, those who have honed their interpersonal communication skills can improve patient outcomes and