MSD Prevention in the Paramedic Sector

Presentations

Research presentations:

• Paramedic realities and research: A Canadian perspective (PDF)
• Paramedic realities and research: An Ontario perspective (PDF)
• Vehicle design research highlights (PDF)
• Back care programs research highlights (PDF)
• Work organization research highlights (PDF)
• Modes of conveyance research highlights (PDF)

Case study presentations:

• Vehicle design case study: Frontenac Paramedic Services (PDF)
• Back care programs case study: Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services (PDF)
• Modes of conveyance case study: Niagara Emergency Medical Services (PDF)

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Videos

Research videos:

• Paramedic realities and research: A Canadian perspective (VIDEO)
• Paramedic realities and research: An Ontario perspective (VIDEO)
• Vehicle design research highlights (VIDEO) 
• Back care programs research highlights (VIDEO)
• Work organization research highlights (VIDEO)
• Modes of conveyance research highlights (VIDEO)

Case study videos:

• Vehicle design case study: Frontenac Paramedic Services (VIDEO)
• Back care programs case study: Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services (VIDEO)
• Modes of conveyance case study: Niagara Emergency Medical Services (VIDEO)

Summary

This conference was one of CRE-MSD largest conferences with 140 attendees from paramedic services across Ontario as well as health & safety system partners, researchers, union representatives, ergonomists, WSIB and Ministry of Labour personnel. The conference was opened by Conference Chair Steven Fischer (Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo) and Richard Wells (Director, CRE-MSD), who introduced Bill Roy (Director, Strategy & Integration Branch, Prevention Office, Ministry of Labour). Bill congratulated CRE-MSD on the conference and its focus on vehicle design (cab layout, vibration), work organization (deployment), modes of conveyance (powered stretchers, stair chairs, back care) and related policies. He further emphasized the support of the Ministry of Labour in the approach and leadership of CRE-MSD to provide the most current MSD paramedic research and its implementation through case studies.

Bill’s encouraging remarks were followed by Doug Socha (Paramedic Portfolio Manager, Defence Research and Development Canada) and Ian Nash (President, CUPE Local 2974) who provided both national and provincial research perspectives and insights on MSD prevention efforts.

A blend of current research and case study presentations followed. Researchers, management, front-line paramedics, and health & safety personnel discussed leading practices and challenges relating to vehicle design, modes of conveyance, back care programs, and work organization. Greg Hallihan (Human Factors Program Manager, W21C, University of Calgary) and David Gemmill (Deputy Chief, Operations), Chris McBain (Superintendent) and Dave Doran (Advanced Care Paramedic) of Frontenac Paramedic Services presented research highlights and a case study on vehicle design respectively. This was followed by back care programs research highlights by Tyson Beach (Assistant Professor, University of Toronto) and a case study from Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services by Jennifer Amyotte (Commander of Community Paramedicine & Professional Standards) and Barry Stenabaugh (Primary Care Paramedic).

The afternoon provided participants with research highlights on Work Organization led by Renee MacPhee (Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University) and Steven Fischer (Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo).  The day closed with a research presentation by Carolyn Sommerich and Steven Lavender (Associate Professors, Ohio State University) and a case study by Rick Ferron (Deputy Chief of Operations and Rob Law (Primary Care Paramedic) from Niagara Emergency Medical Services) on Modes of Conveyance.

The post-conference evaluations were extremely positive and reinforced the value of dedicated thematic sector specific conferences, as emphasized by this conference participant: