AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightStrategies aimed at enhancing compassion satisfaction and reducing occupational stressors may improve the well-being of emergency healthcare personnel regardless of workplace location.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Aim: The professional quality of life for emergency department (ED) and emergency medical services (EMS) workers is affected by many factors. Environmental and operational differences between rural and urban settings may further influence these outcomes. This study aimed to compare the professional quality of life among emergency healthcare workers employed in rural and urban areas. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2025 and May 2026 in Erzurum, Türkiye. Physicians, nurses, and EMS personnel working in EDs and EMS stations were invited to participate. Professional quality of life was assessed using the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-5). Sociodemographic and occupational characteristics were also collected and compared between rural and urban healthcare workers. Results: A total of 203 healthcare professionals were included in the study, of whom 178 (87.7%) worked in rural areas and 25 (12.3%) in urban areas. Urban participants were significantly older and had greater professional seniority than rural participants (p 0.05). Compassion satisfaction was negatively correlated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Conclusions: Rural and urban emergency healthcare workers demonstrated similar levels of professional quality of life. Strategies aimed at enhancing compassion satisfaction and reducing occupational stressors may improve the well-being of emergency healthcare personnel regardless of workplace location.