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Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 Trauma on Developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Emergency Medical Workers in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen M. Martínez-Caballero

    (Emergencies Management (SACYL), 40002 Segovia, Spain
    Mrs. Carmen M. Martínez-Caballero and Dra. Rosa M. Cárdaba-García have contributed as IP in the research.)

  • Rosa M. Cárdaba-García

    (Emergencies Management (SACYL), 40002 Segovia, Spain
    Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Nursing Care Research (GICE), Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Mrs. Carmen M. Martínez-Caballero and Dra. Rosa M. Cárdaba-García have contributed as IP in the research.)

  • Rocío Varas-Manovel

    (Emergencies Management (SACYL), 40002 Segovia, Spain)

  • Laura M. García-Sanz

    (Emergencies Management (SACYL), 40002 Segovia, Spain)

  • Jorge Martínez-Piedra

    (Health Transportation Group, 40195 Segovia, Spain)

  • Juan J. Fernández-Carbajo

    (Emergencies Management (SACYL), 40002 Segovia, Spain)

  • Lucía Pérez-Pérez

    (Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Nursing Care Research (GICE), Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Primary Care Management Valladolid West (SACYL), 47012 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Miguel A. Madrigal-Fernández

    (Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Nursing Care Research (GICE), Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain)

  • M. Ángeles Barba-Pérez

    (Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Nursing Care Research (GICE), Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, 47003 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Elena Olea

    (Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Nursing Care Research (GICE), Faculty of Nursing, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Universidad de Valladolid-CSIC, 47005 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Carlos Durantez-Fernández

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain)

  • M. Teresa Herrero-Frutos

    (Emergencies Management (SACYL), 40002 Segovia, Spain)

Abstract

The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic presented the characteristics of a traumatic event that could trigger post-traumatic stress disorder. Emergency Medical Services workers are already a high-risk group due to their professional development. The research project aimed to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EMS professionals in terms of their mental health. For this purpose, we present a descriptive crosssectional study with survey methodology. A total of 317 EMS workers (doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians) were recruited voluntarily. Psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia were assessed. The instruments were the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS-8), and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS-8). We found that 36% of respondents had psychological distress, 30.9% potentially had PTSD, and 60.9% experienced insomnia. Years of work experience were found to be positively correlated, albeit with low effect, with the PTSD score ( r = 0.133). Finally, it can be stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a traumatic event for EMS workers. The number of professionals presenting psychological distress, possible PTSD, or insomnia increased dramatically during the early phases of the pandemic. This study highlights the need for mental health disorder prevention programmes for EMS workers in the face of a pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen M. Martínez-Caballero & Rosa M. Cárdaba-García & Rocío Varas-Manovel & Laura M. García-Sanz & Jorge Martínez-Piedra & Juan J. Fernández-Carbajo & Lucía Pérez-Pérez & Miguel A. Madrigal-Fernánde, 2021. "Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 Trauma on Developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Emergency Medical Workers in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9132-:d:625122
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Holly Blake & Fiona Bermingham & Graham Johnson & Andrew Tabner, 2020. "Mitigating the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers: A Digital Learning Package," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Fakhar Shahzad & Jianguo Du & Imran Khan & Adnan Fateh & Muhammad Shahbaz & Adnan Abbas & Muhammad Umair Wattoo, 2020. "Perceived Threat of COVID-19 Contagion and Frontline Paramedics’ Agonistic Behaviour: Employing a Stressor–Strain–Outcome Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
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