Background Intensive care units (ICU) are among the healthcare services most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Stressors related to insecurity, unpredictability, patient death and family distress are significant, and put healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of this study were to measure the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in HCWs and to identify risk factors and protective factors during the epidemic in France. Methods During the first peak of the epidemic (from 22 April to 13 May 2020), we assessed sources of stress (PS-ICU scale), mental health (GHQ-12) and coping strategies (Brief-COPE). Three months later (03 June to 6 July 2020), PTSD was assessed using the IES-R scale, with additional questions about sources of support. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires administered online. Results Among 2153 professionals who participated in the study, 20.6% suffered from potential PTSD, mostly intrusion symptoms. Risk factors for the development of PTSD were having experienced additional difficult events during the crisis, having a high level of psychological distress, a high level of perceived stress related to the workload and human resources issues, the emotional burden related to the patient and family, and stressors specific to COVID-19 during the first peak of the crisis. The use of positive thinking coping strategies decreased the relationship between perceived stress and the presence of PTSD, while social support seeking strategies increased the relationship. Finally, the HCWs preferred to use support from colleagues, relatives and/or a psychologist, and very few used the telephone hotlines. Conclusion The epidemic has had a strong traumatic impact on intensive care HCWs. Given the risk of PTSD, we need to consider implementing easily-accessible support services that focus on positive thinking coping strategies, during and after the crisis.

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Background The ICU (intensive care unit) involves potentially traumatic work for the professionals who work there. This narrative review seeks to identify the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among ICU professionals; how PTSD has been assessed; the risk factors associated with PTSD; and the psychological support proposed. Methods Three databases and editorial portals were used to identify full-text articles published in English between 2009 and 2022 using the PRISMA method. Results Among the 914 articles obtained, 19 studies met our inclusion criteria. These were undertaken primarily during the Covid-19 period (n = 12) and focused on nurses and assistant nurses (n = 10); nurses and physicians (n = 8); or physicians only (n = 1). The presence of mild to severe PTSD among professionals ranged from 3.3 to 24% before the pandemic, to 16–73.3% after the pandemic. PTSD in ICU professionals seems specific with particularly intense intrusion symptoms. ICU professionals are confronted risk factors for PTSD: confrontation with death, unpredictability and uncertainty of care, and insecurity related to the crisis COVID-19. The studies show that improved communication, feeling protected and supported within the service, and having sufficient human and material resources seem to protect healthcare professionals from PTSD. However, they also reveal that ICU professionals find it difficult to ask for help. Conclusion ICU professionals are particularly at risk of developing PTSD, especially since the Covid-19 health crisis. There seems to be an urgent need to develop prevention and support policies for professionals.

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Alors que l’infection à SARS-COV-2 s’est rapidement propagée au niveau mondial, on a assisté à une mobilisation massive des soignants auprès des personnes infectées. En réanimation, les conditions de travail déjà habituellement difficiles se sont durcies, avec une augmentation forte de la charge de travail, une nécessaire et indispensable réorganisation des soins, des décisions complexes relatives à l’admission des patients et une modification de l’accueil des familles. Le tout dans un climat d’incertitude générale et d’insécurité personnelle. Cet article propose une mise au point sur l’impact psychologique de cette crise sur les soignants en réanimation et les possibles dispositifs d’accompagnement à partir des données récentes de la littérature et notamment des données issues de l’étude PsyCOVID-ICU coordonnée par les auteurs de cet article.