Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Emergency Medical Services Personnel: A Cross-sectional Study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v10i4.23990

Keywords:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Emergency Medical Services, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by directly experiencing traumatic events or witnessing, learning, or repetitively experiencing the details of these events. High risk occupations (i.e., EMS personnel) frequently encounter traumatic eventscoping with events exceeding the range of human experiences. Regional lack of studies necessitated the need to report the prevalence of PTSD among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia (SA).

Aims and Objective: To explore the prevalence of PTSD among EMS personnel.

Materials and Methods: This a descriptive cross-sectional study at King Abdul Aziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, SA among 110 paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMT), and ambulance drivers who were conveniently selected for this screening. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, the Civilian version, (PCL-C) was used to screen the participants, and cut-off point was 30-35. PTSD symptoms (present & absent) was considered as outcome measure.

Results: Total of 110 participants were contacted, 74 (67%) agreed to participate. Around half of the participants were EMT (52%). Total number of screened individuals is 52, 14 (26.9%) had positive screening, of those, EMT had higher proportion than paramedics (32% vs 20.8%).

Conclusion: This report is the first PTSD prevalence among healthcare providers in SA. The results showed that 26% of EMS personnel had positive screening for PTSD. Attention should be directed toward this issue by regular psychological evaluation and implementing psychological rehabilitation programs for EMS personnel. The study reflects only one center in the city, thus generalization would not be inappropriate.

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Author Biographies

Meshal K Alaqeel, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Consultant and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry College of Medicine

Nawfal A Aljerian, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Consultant and Associate Professor Emergency Medicine College of Medicine

Muhannad A AlNahdi, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Medical Student, College of Medicine

Raiyan Y Almaini, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Medical Student, College of Medicine

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Published

2019-06-20

How to Cite

Alaqeel, M. K., Aljerian, N. A., AlNahdi, M. A., & Almaini, R. Y. (2019). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Emergency Medical Services Personnel: A Cross-sectional Study. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 10(4), 28–31. https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v10i4.23990

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 4 (2019)

Section

Original Articles

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