title: Occupational injury risk among ambulance officers and paramedics compared with other healthcare workers in Victoria, Australia: analysis of workers' compensation claims from 2003 to 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate occupational risk of musculoskeletal (MSK) and mental injury among ambulance officers and paramedics, and compare with nurse professionals, social and welfare professionals, and carers and aides in Victoria, Australia, using workers' compensation (WC) claims statistics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were retrieved from the Victorian Compensation Research Database (CRD). Analysis was restricted to claims received between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2012. WC claim rates were calculated using labour force statistics, and expressed per 1000 full-time equivalent workers. Adjusted HRs with 95% CIs for injury risk were estimated using multivariable regression modelling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ambulance officers and paramedics had an upward trend in WC claim rates for all injuries and the highest rates for MSK and mental injury, in comparison with other healthcare workers during the study period. In the 2009-2012 time period, ambulance officers and paramedics' risk of lower back MSK and mental injury was approximately 13 times higher than nurse professionals, HRs 57.6 vs 4.4 and 17.77 vs 1.29, respectively. Social and welfare professionals had the second highest risk of mental injury, which was up to threefold greater than in nurses. Carers and aides and nurse professionals had similar HRs overall for all injury categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differential patterns of MSK and mental injury exist among healthcare occupational groups in Victoria, Australia. Given the significant findings, especially the high risks among ambulance personnel, future research should focus on the circumstances of injury to improve understanding and inform prevention programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Minainyo Helen
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Malcolm Ross
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Ollie
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000552:Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012947:Social Work; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult