Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers
Background: Every year, large numbers of individuals are present or provide first aid in situations involving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, injuries, or suicides. Little is known about the impact of providing first aid or witnessing a first aid situation, but research indicates that many first aid...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2023-06-01
|
| Series: | Resuscitation Plus |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666520423000164 |
| _version_ | 1811155500542197760 |
|---|---|
| author | Anna Marie Moe Øvstebø Conrad Arnfinn Bjørshol Sissel Grønlien Helene Lund Thomas Werner Lindner |
| author_facet | Anna Marie Moe Øvstebø Conrad Arnfinn Bjørshol Sissel Grønlien Helene Lund Thomas Werner Lindner |
| author_sort | Anna Marie Moe Øvstebø |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Every year, large numbers of individuals are present or provide first aid in situations involving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, injuries, or suicides. Little is known about the impact of providing first aid or witnessing a first aid situation, but research indicates that many first aid providers (FAP) experience persistent psychological difficulties. Here we aimed to assess the level of psychological impact of being a FAP. Methods: In this retrospective study, FAP attending follow-up were asked to complete the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), which is a self-report diagnostic measure of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). We recorded endorsement of a symptom or functional impairment (score ≥ 2/4 on at least one of 18 items). Results: Of the 102 FAP in this study, 86 (84%) showed endorsement of a symptom or functional impairment. Common symptoms/functional impairments included being super-alert, watchful, or on guard; having powerful mental images; avoiding internal reminders or memories; and being affected in important parts of one’s life. One-third had affected ability to work. Of the FAPs who attended follow-up more than one month after the incident (n = 32), 19% met the criteria for PTSD or CPTSD. Conclusions: The majority of FAPs have endorsement of a symptom or functional impairment. Some FAPs fulfil the criteria of PTSD. We suggest that follow-up should be offered by the EMS to all FAPs involved in incidents with an unconscious patient. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:35:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-962c689e2a42416f96752ca21db5f0a5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-5204 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:35:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Resuscitation Plus |
| spelling | doaj.art-962c689e2a42416f96752ca21db5f0a52023-03-10T04:36:19ZengElsevierResuscitation Plus2666-52042023-06-0114100373Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providersAnna Marie Moe Øvstebø0Conrad Arnfinn Bjørshol1Sissel Grønlien2Helene Lund3Thomas Werner Lindner4The Regional Centre for Emergency Medical Research and Development (RAKOS), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, NorwayThe Regional Centre for Emergency Medical Research and Development (RAKOS), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Dept. of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Clinical Institute 1, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Corresponding author at: Stavanger University Hospital, P.O. Box 8100, NO-4068 Stavanger, Norway.Emergency Medical Communication Center, Innlandet Hospital, Gjøvik, NorwayEmergency Medical Communication Center, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, NorwayThe Regional Centre for Emergency Medical Research and Development (RAKOS), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, NorwayBackground: Every year, large numbers of individuals are present or provide first aid in situations involving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, injuries, or suicides. Little is known about the impact of providing first aid or witnessing a first aid situation, but research indicates that many first aid providers (FAP) experience persistent psychological difficulties. Here we aimed to assess the level of psychological impact of being a FAP. Methods: In this retrospective study, FAP attending follow-up were asked to complete the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), which is a self-report diagnostic measure of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). We recorded endorsement of a symptom or functional impairment (score ≥ 2/4 on at least one of 18 items). Results: Of the 102 FAP in this study, 86 (84%) showed endorsement of a symptom or functional impairment. Common symptoms/functional impairments included being super-alert, watchful, or on guard; having powerful mental images; avoiding internal reminders or memories; and being affected in important parts of one’s life. One-third had affected ability to work. Of the FAPs who attended follow-up more than one month after the incident (n = 32), 19% met the criteria for PTSD or CPTSD. Conclusions: The majority of FAPs have endorsement of a symptom or functional impairment. Some FAPs fulfil the criteria of PTSD. We suggest that follow-up should be offered by the EMS to all FAPs involved in incidents with an unconscious patient.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666520423000164CPRResuscitationFirst aidCardiac ArrestFollow-upFirst aid provider (FAP) |
| spellingShingle | Anna Marie Moe Øvstebø Conrad Arnfinn Bjørshol Sissel Grønlien Helene Lund Thomas Werner Lindner Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers Resuscitation Plus CPR Resuscitation First aid Cardiac Arrest Follow-up First aid provider (FAP) |
| title | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers |
| title_full | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers |
| title_fullStr | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers |
| title_short | Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers |
| title_sort | symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder among first aid providers |
| topic | CPR Resuscitation First aid Cardiac Arrest Follow-up First aid provider (FAP) |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666520423000164 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT annamariemoeøvstebø symptomsofposttraumaticstressdisorderamongfirstaidproviders AT conradarnfinnbjørshol symptomsofposttraumaticstressdisorderamongfirstaidproviders AT sisselgrønlien symptomsofposttraumaticstressdisorderamongfirstaidproviders AT helenelund symptomsofposttraumaticstressdisorderamongfirstaidproviders AT thomaswernerlindner symptomsofposttraumaticstressdisorderamongfirstaidproviders |