Cognitive load refers to the working memory resources required during a task. When the load is too high or too low this has implications for an individual's task performance. In the context of paramedicine and emergency medical services (EMS) broadly, high cognitive load could potentially put patient and personnel safety at risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough cannabis was legalized in Canada in 2018 and is one of the most used substances in Canada, few studies have examined how individuals with different patterns of cannabis use differ in their attempts to decrease or abstain from cannabis. The current study examined how groups of cannabis users, which were formed on the basis of demographic characteristics, substance use patterns, mental health symptoms, and self-reported quality of life differed on their experiences with cannabis cessation. A sample of 147 Canadian adult participants who had attempted to decrease or quit cannabis were recruited from the community (n = 84, 57.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParamedics face various unconventional and secondary task demands while driving ambulances, leading to significant cognitive load, especially during lights-and-sirens responses. Previous research suggests that high cognitive load negatively affects driving performance, increasing the risk of accidents, particularly for inexperienced drivers. The current study investigated the impact of anticipatory treatment planning on cognitive load during emergency driving, as assessed through the use of a driving simulator.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Limited knowledge exists regarding how paramedics acquire an understanding of the scene they encounter upon arrival, despite their need to quickly gather information for effective clinical decision-making. This study examined visual scanning behaviour during the early stages of simulated emergency calls.
Methods: Eye movements of 10 paramedicine students were recorded during simulated calls conducted in both a high-fidelity classroom setting and a full sensory immersion setting.
Objectives: The SafeSpace study codesigned and tested a virtual reality (VR) intervention, incorporating relaxation and compassionate mind training to determine acceptability/feasibility in an oncology setting and evaluate impact on physical/psychological well-being and quality of life.
Design: A two-phase study. Phase I determined key characteristics using an experienced-based codesign approach.