Moral distress, burnout, and job satisfaction in emergency medical technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics may not be able to do according to their moral standards during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can cause burnout and job dissatisfaction. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate moral distress (MD), job satisfaction, and burnout among EMTs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Bam, Iran in 2020. In total, 134 EMTs completed the online survey that included demographic information, a MD scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and an item for assessing job satisfaction. Descriptive statistics along with independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, as well as multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze data. Results: The mean scores of MD and job satisfaction were 25.44 ± 12.78 and 3.63 ± 1.07, respectively. Concerning severity, the mean scores of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment (PA) were 35.45 ± 5.04, 20.61 ± 3.40, and 33.04 ± 4.07, respectively. All three burnout subscales were significantly correlated with job satisfaction (P < 0.05) and MD (P < 0.05). Access to personal protective equipment and education level significantly predicted MD (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Despite high burnout and moderate MD, EMTs reported high job satisfaction, possibly because of increased social respect and salary. EMTs can avoid MD and burnout by learning how to handle ethical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.