Air Med J. 2025 Nov-Dec;44(6):492-496. doi: 10.1016/j.amj.2025.07.006. Epub 2025 Aug 16.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the post-pandemic staffing status of interfacility pediatric and neonatal transport teams and the impact of resilience promotion strategies.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Transport Medicine.
RESULTS: A total of 34 teams respond (30.9% response rate) to the survey. Most of them (58.8%) reported post-pandemic vacancies. Of the teams with vacancies, 90% cited a lack of qualified applicants as the reason for being unable to fill the vacant slots (P < .01). Increased turnover was reported by 50% of the teams resulting in change in the on-boarding/orientation process for the new hires. Burnout was identified by 26 of the teams (76.4%, P < .01), and 25 respondents (73.5%, P < .01) reported that they had received training to recognize burnout.
CONCLUSION: In our survey, most of the responding pediatric and neonatal transport teams faced post-pandemic staffing vacancies, primarily due to a shortage of qualified applicants. Our data suggest that there were subsequent deviations from ideal team compositions and alteration in the on-boarding process for new hires, secondary to personnel shortages.
PMID:41161879 | DOI:10.1016/j.amj.2025.07.006
