Secondary traumatic stress among Maltese emergency nurses and doctors

Abstract

Background: On a regular basis, emergency department (ED) nurses and doctors must deal with emotional trauma situations. This might result in secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms, which are a result of stress experienced when assisting or wanting to help a traumatized or suffering individual. The consequences of STS can cause adverse physical and mental health problems for health care professionals, as well as affecting the quality of nursing care provided to patients. STS can also cause job dissatisfaction, increased sick days, burnout and staff turnover. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to explore STS in the Maltese nurses and doctors working in the ED. The objectives for this aim were to determine the prevalence of STS, factors that can be associated with STS and the coping strategies that these professions find helpful to alleviate STS. Design and methods: A quantitative non-experimental cross-sectional study was conducted. Data was gathered though structured online questionnaire using the STS score scale and open-ended questions. Questionnaires were distributed to all the nurses (n=108) and doctors (n = 94) working in the Maltese ED. Data was analysed using the SPSS software. Participants: A total of 59 questionnaires were collected providing response rate of 29.2% out of which 71.2% were nurses and 28.8% were doctors. Results: The average score of STS was 47.62 out of a maximum score of 85. Using a cut-off score of 38 as indicative of STS disorder by Bride, (2007), 76.4% of the Maltese ED nurses and doctors experienced STS disorder. No statistically significant correlation was found between demographic characteristics and STS score. From the open ended questions various factors associated with STS were mentioned; especially lack of resources and lack of support with regards to environmental factors and being sensitive and emphatic with regards to personal factors. Furthermore, participants used positive coping strategies such as exercise but also negative coping strategies such as alcohol and eating to deal with STS. Conclusion: Results among the Maltese ED professions are concerning not just for their well-being but also for the care delivered to the patient. Thus, clinical implications are discussed regards the detection and the necessity for intervention to increase organisational support and prevent STS.