Prevalence of PTSD and common mental disorders amongst ambulance personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Petrie, Katherine; Milligan-Saville, Josie; Gayed, Aimée; Deady, Mark; Phelps, Andrea; Dell, Lisa; Forbes, David; Bryant, Richard A.; Calvo, Rafael A.; Glozier, Nick; Harvey, Samuel B

doi:10.1007/s00127-018-1539-5

Cited by 262 publications

(302 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The rate of probable PTSD found was low compared with some reports of first responder workforces (46), although entirely consistent with a recent meta-analysis of paramedics when studied in isolation (9) and in earlier studies (2). The decision to only include trauma-exposed participants may have added greater alignment with diagnostic requirements for PTSD which may not have been present in all studies reporting higher rates.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Reasons for possible elevated rates include poorer working conditions, prolonged time spent with service recipients (5,6), higher rates of emergency responding (2,7) and prior history of trauma motivating occupational choices (8). Inconsistencies in rates may also arise from changing diagnostic criteria, use of mixed samples and differences in measurement (9). A more common problem in first responders is non-specific psychiatric morbidity (eg.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors Associated with Psychiatric Morbidity, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Growth in Paramedic First Responders: The Role of Core Beliefs

Surgenor

Snell

Dorahy

2020

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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IntroductionParamedics are routinely exposed to traumatic events. This study describes the rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychiatric morbidity and levels of post-traumatic growth (PTG) in New Zealand first responder paramedics, exploring a mix of demographic, professional, crewing status and exposure risk factors associated with these outcomes and their associations with core belief disruptions.MethodsA cross-sectional study recruited paramedics (N=579) working in a first responder role. Univariate and multivariate logistic and linear regressions were conducted to identify predictors of PTSD, non-specific psychiatric morbidity and PTG in trauma-exposed participants.ResultsTwo-thirds (66.3%) reported significant psychiatric morbidity, with volunteer paramedics being significantly less at risk when compared with professional paramedics (OR=0.52; 95% CI: 0.31-0.87; p<0.01). Probable PTSD was reported by 14.6% of participants. Older age reduced the odds of this (OR=0.94; 95% CI: 0.92-0.98; p<0.01) while experiencing greater disruptions in core beliefs increased the odds (OR=2.75; 95% CI: 2.00-3.77; p<0.01). Being female (t=4.70; p<0.01) and experiencing greater core belief disruption (t=7.54; p<0.01) (adjusted R2=0.27) independently contributed to PTG. ConclusionAlthough PTSD rates were typical of first responders generally, psychiatric morbidity rates were high and may be more prevalent in professional staff. Contextual and methodological factors may have influenced these outcomes. Core belief disruptions predict both negative and positive emotional states, suggesting their important role in workplace interventions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with Psychiatric Morbidity, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Growth in Paramedic First Responders: The Role of Core Beliefs

Surgenor

Snell

Dorahy

2020

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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“…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).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Meer

Bakker

Zuiden

et al. 2020

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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“…Emergency medical services (EMS) work can have significant emotional costs, with reports indicating elevated psychiatric symptoms and psychological distress as a result of work exposure [1], with repeated exposure to suffering and trauma among the factors contributing to this elevated risk [2]. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been a main focus of research on the mental health of this population, with prevalence rates around 11% reported for emergency service workers [1] [3]. Ambulance personnel are at particularly high risk, reporting significantly higher rates of PTSD compared to other emergency services such as police and firefighters [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Wellbeing Monitoring in a Sample of Emergency Medical Service Personnel

Wijk¹,

Cronjé²,

Meintjes³

2020

ODEM

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Background: There have been concerns regarding the mental wellbeing of emergency medical service staff, particularly when faced with multiple trauma exposures. This study aimed to describe a cross-sectional view of the mental wellbeing status of emergency medical service workers, as well as to comment on the usefulness of an electronic survey tool to reach staff that is distributed across large geographical areas. Methods: The data presented here are drawn from an anonymous, voluntary, electronic survey, made available via the internet, to emergency medical service workers in the Western Cape province of South Africa. This paper reports on four domain expressions of mental wellbeing, namely disordered mood, problematic substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder, and domestic discord. Results: Elevated rates were reported by this sample, across all four distress domains, i.e. mood disorder = 12.3%; problematic substance use = 14.9%; post-traumatic stress disorder = 11.9%; and domestic discord = 11.9%. These rates were generally similar to data from comparable emergency worker groups, and much higher than local population estimates. Conclusions: The data support earlier findings that emergency medical work is associated with increased risk for symptoms of psychological distress, which present a strong case for regular organizational monitoring of employees' mental wellbeing. In this regard, a brief, internet delivered, survey-type tool showed promise for screening employees, in order to guide further streaming of distressed individuals towards appropriate support services. Further work is required to develop clear mechanisms for referral and intervention in order to optimize a confidential and supportive monitoring program.

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Prevalence of PTSD and common mental disorders amongst ambulance personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Ambulance personnel worldwide have a prevalence of PTSD considerably higher than rates seen in the general population, although there is some evidence that rates of PTSD may have decreased over recent decades.

Cited by 262 publications

References 43 publications

Factors Associated with Psychiatric Morbidity, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Growth in Paramedic First Responders: The Role of Core Beliefs

Factors Associated with Psychiatric Morbidity, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Growth in Paramedic First Responders: The Role of Core Beliefs

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

Mental Wellbeing Monitoring in a Sample of Emergency Medical Service Personnel

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