References
Acute stress and frontline healthcare providers
Abstract
Background:
Repeated exposure to stress increases the risk of acute stress response (ASR) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Aims:
The authors aimed to investigate ASR/PTSD symptoms among a multidisciplinary population of frontline health professionals who care for injured and critically unwell patients.
Methods:
A voluntary, anonymous questionnaire included an Impact of Events Scale-revised (IES-R) assessment, addressed stressors, teamwork, and mentorship. An IES-R score of >33 indicated symptoms in keeping with ASR (lasting <1 month) and PTSD (lasting >1 month).
Findings:
15% (27/181) of returned questionnaires had an IES-R score >33; 19 had symptoms >1 month. Seven participants with IES-R >33 group had sought professional help. Less than half knew of a mentorship programme at their place of work.
Conclusion:
There is a hidden, untreated burden of stress symptoms among frontline emergency healthcare providers, and a variable environment of mentorship and teamwork. Attention is warranted if patient safety is to be optimised.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious health concern. Worryingly, it is associated with all of the following:
The lifetime risk of PTSD in the general population has been reported as 5.6–10.1% (Frans et al, 2005; Kessler et al, 2012), and the 12-month prevalence in higher-income countries has been reported as 1.5–3.7% (Kessler et al, 2012; Karam et al, 2014). PTSD may be under-diagnosed in the clinical setting (Zimmerman et al, 1999), and screening is not routinely performed.
The presence of PTSD amongst healthcare workers may be of particular concern owing to the potential symptoms of hypervigilance, irritability, difficulty concentrating, avoidance behaviours, feelings of alienation, and problems sleeping. These symptoms in a health professional with PTSD may inadvertently interfere with the care of their patients. A previous survey of surgical trainees in the NHS found a prevalence of symptoms in keeping with PTSD to be at 12%, which was higher than expected (Thompson et al, 2017). Frontline emergency healthcare practitioners in prehospital emergency medicine (PHEM), the emergency department (ED), intensive care unit (ICU), and emergency operating theatres (OT), are exposed to regular stressful and traumatic events as part of their routine practice. An investigation of the effects of these events on their risk of PTSD is warranted.
Subscribe to get full access to the Journal of Paramedic Practice
Thank you for visiting the Journal of Paramedic Practice and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the only journal dedicated to those working in emergency care, you can start your subscription today for just £48.
What's included
-
CPD Focus
-
Develop your career
-
Stay informed