Institutionally based health care workers' exposure to traumatogenic events: Systematic review of PTSD presentation

Abstract

This review sought to identify published evidence for the presentation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in institutionally based health care workers. The databases Medline, Psycinfo, PILOTS, CINAHL (R), EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science were searched in a systematic manner eliciting 9 quantitative studies. Presentation of PTSD among such workers appears comparable to data reported for emergency services staff. The authors discuss some of the theoretical debates underpinning the research as well as methodological weaknesses that temper the strength of conclusions drawn.

Help in hand after traumatic events: a randomized controlled trial in health care professionals on the efficacy, usability, and user satisfaction of a self-help app to reduce trauma-related symptoms

“…This heightened chance to develop (delayed) PTSD may particularly apply to high-risk professions such as health care professionals (HCPs), who are regularly exposed to work-related trauma (De Boer et al, 2011;van Steijn et al, 2019). Prevalence rates for probable PTSD in HCPs including nurses, doctors and ambulance personnel vary between 8% and 29 (Petrie et al, 2018;Robertson & Perry, 2010), and PTSS ranges up to 30% (De Boer et al, 2011).…”

Exploring leadership capability and emotional intelligence as moderators of workplace bullying

“…Internationally, there has been considerable concern raised regarding aggression and violence experienced by nurses in their workplace (Mikkelsen & Einarsen 2002, Katrinli et al. 2010, Robertson & Perry 2010). Although aggression and violence from patients and their visitors are cause for concern for nurses, aggression from colleagues and managers are reported to be of most concern (Jackson et al.…”

“…2010, Katrinli et al. 2010, Robertson & Perry 2010). Workplace bullying is recognized to include behaviours such as verbal abuse or threat of harm, continual criticism, demeaning remarks, intimidation and undermining, as well as more subtle behaviours such as refusing to cooperate, being unavailable to give assistance, hampering another’s performance and making their work difficult (Celik & Celik 2007, Guidrox et al.…”

Characteristics of Staff Victims of Psychiatric Patient Assaults: 20-Year Analysis of the Assaulted Staff Action Program

“…A recent review of the literature [20] documented in detail the presence of psychological trauma and PTSD among health care workers that is comparable to data for emergency services personnel. This present study's data on the widespread presence of psychological fright and trauma symptomatology among its staff victims adds additional support to this review's findings [20]. Since untreated trauma may manifest itself in the victim's becoming violent [21] at a later point in time, it would appear to suggest the need for staff victim counseling.…”

“…This threat does not end immediately as a physical assault would. The typology for injuries should include psychological fear, as this appears to be a frequently present outcome and a potentially serious long-term issue for staff victims [20].…”