RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Destress 9-1-1—an online mindfulness-based intervention in reducing stress among emergency medical dispatchers: a randomised controlled trial JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 705 OP 711 DO 10.1136/oemed-2018-105598 VO 76 IS 10 A1 Michelle Lilly A1 Rebecca Calhoun A1 Ian Painter A1 Randal Beaton A1 Scott Stangenes A1 Debra Revere A1 Janet Baseman A1 Hendrika Meischke YR 2019 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/76/10/705.abstract AB Objectives Emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs) experience significant stress in the workplace. Yet, interventions aimed at reducing work-related stress are difficult to implement due to the logistic challenges associated with the relatively unique EMD work environment. This investigation tested the efficacy of a 7-week online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) tailored to the EMD workforce.Methods Active-duty EMDs from the USA and Canada (n=323) were randomly assigned to an intervention or wait list control condition. Participants completed surveys of stress and mindfulness at baseline, post intervention, and 3 months follow-up. Repeated measures mixed effects models were used to assess changes in stress and mindfulness.Results Differences between the intervention group and control group in pre–post changes in stress using the Calgary Symptoms of Stress Inventory were statistically significant, with a difference of −10.0 (95% CI: −14.9, −5.2, p<0.001) for change from baseline to post intervention, and a difference of −6.5 (95% CI: −11.9, −1.1, p=0.02) for change from baseline to 3 months follow-up. Change in mindfulness scores did not differ between groups. However, increases in mindfulness scores were correlated with greater reductions in stress for all participants, regardless of group (r=−0.53, p<0.001).Conclusions Development of tailored online MBIs for employees working in challenging work environments offer a promising direction for prevention and intervention. This study found that a short, weekly online MBI for EMDs resulted in reductions in reports of stress. Implications of online MBIs in other emergency responding populations and directions for future research are discussed.