Item: FRIENDS ON A POWDER DAY: A PILOT STUDY QUANTIFYING SKI PATROL TRAUMATIC EVENT EXPOSURES AND EVALUATING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH LEVELS
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Title: FRIENDS ON A POWDER DAY: A PILOT STUDY QUANTIFYING SKI PATROL TRAUMATIC EVENT EXPOSURES AND EVALUATING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH LEVELS
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Elizabeth Keller, PhD, RN [ Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles ]
- Wendie Robbins, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAAOHN [ Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, and School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles ]
- Yijia Sun [ Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles ]
- Jian Li, MD, PhD, Dr.rer.sec [ Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, and School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles, ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: Ski patrollers are avalanche and snow science experts, in addition to emergency first responders. As they care for ski and snowboard injuries in critical scenarios, they risk exposure to traumatic events in their roles. Exposure to traumatic events has the potential to lead to stress injuries and associated consequences. However, there remains limited scientific evidence surrounding U.S. ski patrollers and the frequency of this exposure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the number of traumatic event exposures among a cohort of U.S. ski patrollers and evaluate mental and physical health status. Informed by the Stress Injury Continuum Model, this study followed a non-experimental, descriptive, longitudinal design. Using an online survey, data was collected once a month over three months. The survey was comprised of valid and reliable tools. Convenience sampling was used at one ski resort in the Western United States. Data from 29 participants was used in the analysis. Descriptive statistics were completed. Most participants (n=22, 75.86%) had been exposed to traumatic events at work over the 2023-2024 ski season, ranging from ‘some times’ (1-3 events; n=16, 55.17%) to ‘many times’ (>3 events; n=6, 20.69%). Physical symptoms scores (M=6.1, SD=3.09) were moderately concerning at mid-season (Survey 1) but decreased to mild levels by the end of the season (Survey 3). Mental health scores were also at moderate levels at Survey 1 (M=6.14, SD=2.33) and remained moderate throughout the study (Survey 2: M=6.11, SD: 2.33; Survey 3: M=5.72, SD: 2.89). This data has provided insight into ski patroller’s exposure to traumatic events, and the moderately severe mental and physical health levels experienced at mid-season. It brings attention to this occupational group and underscores the opportunity to continue exploring how their work exposures specifically impact their health overall.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P14.1.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Keller
Keywords: occupational health, wilderness first responders, worker wellbeing, national ski patrol, snow science
Page Number(s): 1795 - 1800
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