Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Emergency Medical Technicians and its Relationship with Occupational Stress and Depression: Post-Corona Screening, Zanjan, 2022.
Bulletin of Emergency and Trauma · 2023-01-01 · Observational study
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of seeing painful events involving suspected COVID-19 patients and being concerned about potentially infecting themselves and their families. Therefore, screening for these disorders is essential in the post-Corona era. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PTSD among EMTs and its relationship with occupational stress and depression when dealing with patients with suspected COVID-19. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on EMTs at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire, PTSD checklist, occupational stress questionnaire, and the Goldberg depression scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Statistical tests such as Pearson correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the data. RESULT: 205 EMTs participated in this cross-sectional study. The mean and standard deviation of PTSD was 37.13±12.93 (17-85), and according to the cut-off (45), the prevalence of PTSD was 30.7%. There was a direct and significant association between the total PTSD and depression scores (r=0.435, p=0.001). Some occupational stress domains, such as demand (r=0.306, p=0.001), colleague support (r=0.149, p=0.033), and communication (r=0.293, p=0.001) had a significant association with PTSD. The domains of sadness in depression (OR=1.074, p=0.027) and demands in occupational stress (OR=1.872, p=0.029) were the most important predictors of PTSD. Among demographic variables, employment status was the most important protective factor for PTSD (OR=0.378, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: PTSD affected one-third of EMTs, and it had a significant relationship with various dimensions of depression and occupational stress. Due to the chronic nature of these diseases, policymakers are advised to prioritize psychological screening of EMTs as part of the post-Corona policy.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Paramedics & EMTs · Clinician perspective · COVID-19 pandemic
Related articles
- Long-term psycho-traumatic consequences of the COVID-19 health crisis among emergency department healthcare workers. (Stress Health, 2024)
- [Polish version of the questionnaire for measuring post-traumatic stress disorders PTSD-8 in studies of four groups of medical professions]. (Med Pr, 2024)
- Work in stressful conditions in medical emergency system during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Med Pr, 2022)
- Psychological Effects of COVID-19 Patient Management Experience among Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians: A Nationwide Survey in Korea. (Infect Chemother, 2022)
- Predictors of stress among emergency medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Int J Occup Med Environ Health, 2021)
- Exploring coping strategies of emergency medical technicians against COVID-19 stress: a qualitative study. (Front Psychiatry, 2023)