Analysis of post-traumatic stress disorder in emergency professionals

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the estimated prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in emergency professionals and its related factors. Methods: Analytical, cross-sectional, exploratory, quantitative study performed in reference services in urgent and emergency care in health and services of public safety and protection with emergency service drivers, nurses, nursing technicians/assistants, physicians, police officers and firefighters. Data from two instruments were analyzed. The classifications of the Event Impact Scale - Revised were related to sociodemographic and professional variables and to those of aspects related to the potentially traumatic event collected in the sample. The prevalence of potentially traumatic events was estimated. Results: Participation of 338 professionals, of which 31.07% had compatible scores with a probable diagnosis of the psychopathology, and 39.67% of security professionals and 20.78% of health professionals had scores corresponding to the disorder. Security professionals had a 48% higher prevalence of compatible scores with diagnosis of the disorder. The potentially traumatic events prevalent in the sample were identified as related factors, usually the situations with risk of death and coping strategies, which showed a significant relationship with scores of the disorder, such as distancing from similar situations, psychological support and reassessment of situations. Conclusion: The risk was relatively high when compared to other Brazilian studies; situations involving risk to life were prevalent and the coping strategies with significant relationships were found in participants who chose distancing, psychological support and reassessment of potentially traumatic situations.