Volume 15, Issue 2 (Spring 2026)
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Hassanzadeh-Rangi N, Akbarian A, Alaei Tabatabaei E S, Rahim zadeh M, Esmaili Abdar M. Assessment of mental workload among emergency medical services personnel at Alborz University of Medical Sciences in 2022. aumj 2026; 15 (2) : 3
URL: http://aums.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1993-en.html
URL: http://aums.abzums.ac.ir/article-1-1993-en.html
Narmin Hassanzadeh-Rangi *1 
, AmirReza Akbarian2 , Elahe Sadat Alaei Tabatabaei2 , Mitra Rahim zadeh3 , Mohammad Esmaili Abdar4
, AmirReza Akbarian2 , Elahe Sadat Alaei Tabatabaei2 , Mitra Rahim zadeh3 , Mohammad Esmaili Abdar4
1- Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran & Research Center for Health, Safety and Environment, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran , n.hassanzadeh@abzums.ac.ir
2- Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
3- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
4- Department of Medical Emergencies, School of Nursing, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
2- Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
3- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
4- Department of Medical Emergencies, School of Nursing, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Abstract: (201 Views)
Introduction: Emergency departments and prehospital emergency settings are high-pressure environments where rapid decision-making and urgent clinical situations increase the risk of human error. Assessing mental workload is essential for improving job performance and enhancing the quality of healthcare services. This study aimed to evaluate the mental workload of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel affiliated with Alborz University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 168 EMS personnel. Data were collected using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis in SPSS version 20. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Alborz University of Medical Sciences (IR.ABZUMS.REC.1401.280). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Results: Significant correlations were observed among several dimensions of mental workload, including temporal demand, effort, frustration, mental demand, and job performance. Temporal demand demonstrated the strongest correlation with effort (r = 0.224). Job performance was most strongly correlated with frustration (r = 0.461), followed by effort (r = 0.280). Effort showed significant correlations with frustration (r = 0.358) and job performance (r = 0.280). Mental demand was most strongly associated with effort (r = 0.200). Physical demand demonstrated significant correlations with job performance (r = 0.271), temporal demand (r = 0.207), and effort (r = 0.188). Furthermore, overall mental workload was significantly associated with sleep status and educational level (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Mental workload, particularly temporal demand, frustration, and effort, significantly influences job performance among EMS personnel. Mental workload is also associated with individual factors such as sleep status and educational attainment. Interventions aimed at reducing mental workload, improving educational opportunities, and optimizing work schedules may enhance both the well-being and performance of EMS personnel.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 168 EMS personnel. Data were collected using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis in SPSS version 20. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Alborz University of Medical Sciences (IR.ABZUMS.REC.1401.280). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Results: Significant correlations were observed among several dimensions of mental workload, including temporal demand, effort, frustration, mental demand, and job performance. Temporal demand demonstrated the strongest correlation with effort (r = 0.224). Job performance was most strongly correlated with frustration (r = 0.461), followed by effort (r = 0.280). Effort showed significant correlations with frustration (r = 0.358) and job performance (r = 0.280). Mental demand was most strongly associated with effort (r = 0.200). Physical demand demonstrated significant correlations with job performance (r = 0.271), temporal demand (r = 0.207), and effort (r = 0.188). Furthermore, overall mental workload was significantly associated with sleep status and educational level (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Mental workload, particularly temporal demand, frustration, and effort, significantly influences job performance among EMS personnel. Mental workload is also associated with individual factors such as sleep status and educational attainment. Interventions aimed at reducing mental workload, improving educational opportunities, and optimizing work schedules may enhance both the well-being and performance of EMS personnel.
Article number: 3
Keywords: Mental Workload, Emergency Medical Technicians, Emergency Medical Services, Work Performance, Sleep, Task Performance and Analysis
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2026/02/01 | Accepted: 2026/03/29 | Published: 2026/06/06
Received: 2026/02/01 | Accepted: 2026/03/29 | Published: 2026/06/06
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