Occupational stress in the ambulance service: a diagnostic study.

The Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI) was used to investigate job stress in an ambulance service in the northwest of England. Seven different aspects of the stress-strain relationship were assessed and the findings compared with those from the fire service. Ambulance service employees were found to be experiencing major stress outcomes of low job satisfaction and poor mental and physical health. Fire service employees revealed significantly poorer physical health. Assesses the sources of job stress, type A behaviour, locus of control and coping styles and discusses them in the light of change in the public services.