Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists
Abstract Background Health care professionals who are frequently coping with traumatic events have an increased risk of developing a posttraumatic stress disorder. Research among physicians is scarce, and obstetrician-gynecologists may have a higher risk. Work-related traumatic events and posttrauma...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-03-01
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Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-018-1659-1 |
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author | Melanie A. M. Baas Karel W. F. Scheepstra Claire A. I. Stramrood Ruth Evers Lea M. Dijksman Maria G. van Pampus |
author_facet | Melanie A. M. Baas Karel W. F. Scheepstra Claire A. I. Stramrood Ruth Evers Lea M. Dijksman Maria G. van Pampus |
author_sort | Melanie A. M. Baas |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Background Health care professionals who are frequently coping with traumatic events have an increased risk of developing a posttraumatic stress disorder. Research among physicians is scarce, and obstetrician-gynecologists may have a higher risk. Work-related traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder among obstetricians-gynecologists and the (desired) type of support were studied. Methods A questionnaire was emailed to all members of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which included residents, attending, retired and non-practicing obstetricians-gynecologists. The questionnaire included questions about personal experiences and opinions concerning support after work-related events, and a validated questionnaire for posttraumatic stress disorder. Results The response rate was 42.8% with 683 questionnaires eligible for analysis. 12.6% of the respondents have experienced a work-related traumatic event, of which 11.8% met the criteria for current posttraumatic stress disorder. This revealed an estimated prevalence of 1.5% obstetricians-gynecologists with current posttraumatic stress disorder. 12% reported to have a support protocol or strategy in their hospital after adverse events. The most common strategies to cope with emotional events were: to seek support from colleagues, to seek support from family or friends, to discuss the case in a complication meeting or audit and to find distraction. 82% would prefer peer-support with direct colleagues after an adverse event. Conclusions This survey implies that work-related events can be traumatic and subsequently can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder. There is a high prevalence rate of current posttraumatic stress disorder among obstetricians-gynecologists. Often there is no standardized support after adverse events. Most obstetrician-gynecologists prefer peer-support with direct colleagues after an adverse event. More awareness must be created during medical training and organized support must be implemented. |
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format | Article |
id | doaj.art-da04ff17d57e48bea895c1881ebac0f5 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1471-244X |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:33:34Z |
publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
publisher | BMC |
record_format | Article |
series | BMC Psychiatry |
spelling | doaj.art-da04ff17d57e48bea895c1881ebac0f52022-12-22T03:55:15ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2018-03-011811810.1186/s12888-018-1659-1Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologistsMelanie A. M. Baas0Karel W. F. Scheepstra1Claire A. I. Stramrood2Ruth Evers3Lea M. Dijksman4Maria G. van Pampus5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OLVGDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OLVGDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center UtrechtTalmorDepartment of Research and Epidemiology, OLVGDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OLVGAbstract Background Health care professionals who are frequently coping with traumatic events have an increased risk of developing a posttraumatic stress disorder. Research among physicians is scarce, and obstetrician-gynecologists may have a higher risk. Work-related traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder among obstetricians-gynecologists and the (desired) type of support were studied. Methods A questionnaire was emailed to all members of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which included residents, attending, retired and non-practicing obstetricians-gynecologists. The questionnaire included questions about personal experiences and opinions concerning support after work-related events, and a validated questionnaire for posttraumatic stress disorder. Results The response rate was 42.8% with 683 questionnaires eligible for analysis. 12.6% of the respondents have experienced a work-related traumatic event, of which 11.8% met the criteria for current posttraumatic stress disorder. This revealed an estimated prevalence of 1.5% obstetricians-gynecologists with current posttraumatic stress disorder. 12% reported to have a support protocol or strategy in their hospital after adverse events. The most common strategies to cope with emotional events were: to seek support from colleagues, to seek support from family or friends, to discuss the case in a complication meeting or audit and to find distraction. 82% would prefer peer-support with direct colleagues after an adverse event. Conclusions This survey implies that work-related events can be traumatic and subsequently can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder. There is a high prevalence rate of current posttraumatic stress disorder among obstetricians-gynecologists. Often there is no standardized support after adverse events. Most obstetrician-gynecologists prefer peer-support with direct colleagues after an adverse event. More awareness must be created during medical training and organized support must be implemented.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-018-1659-1Adverse eventsSecond victimObstetrician-gynecologistPsychotraumaPosttraumatic stress disorderPTSD |
spellingShingle | Melanie A. M. Baas Karel W. F. Scheepstra Claire A. I. Stramrood Ruth Evers Lea M. Dijksman Maria G. van Pampus Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists BMC Psychiatry Adverse events Second victim Obstetrician-gynecologist Psychotrauma Posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD |
title | Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists |
title_full | Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists |
title_fullStr | Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists |
title_full_unstemmed | Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists |
title_short | Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists |
title_sort | work related adverse events leaving their mark a cross sectional study among dutch gynecologists |
topic | Adverse events Second victim Obstetrician-gynecologist Psychotrauma Posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD |
url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-018-1659-1 |
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