Pandemic COVID-19: the residents' resilience.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK:

Healthcare workers are often exposed to secondary traumatic stress. The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak caused intense psychological pressure in various healthcare professionals, with increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder. Objective of our study was to evaluate the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in italian residents in Intensive Care and Emergency Departments facing COVID-19 emergency.

METHODS:

We developed a short, anonymous web-questionnaire to obtain data regarding sociodemographic, professional characteristics, history of psychological trauma, psychotherapy, use of psychiatric medications and the presence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Primary outcome was the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder. Secondary endpoint was to identify possible risk factors associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.  Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised.  A cut-off of 33 identified a probable diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder while a cut-off of 22 identified subclinical post-traumatic stress disorder.

RESULTS:

503 residents completed the questionnaire. Among residents who were directly involved in the clinical assistance of COVID-19 patients, 34.3% presented a probable diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, while 21.5% presented subclinical post-traumatic stress disorder. Female gender and history of psychological trauma were significantly associated with the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data suggest a high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in Italian residents working in Intensive Care Units and Emergency Departments during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. This finding supports the importance of promptly implementing any strategy that might preserve staff mental health.

• Authors: Laura Pasin, Nicolò Sella, Christelle Correale, Annalisa Boscolo, Giulia Mormando, Maria Zordan, Giovanni Landoni, Paolo Navalesi
• Journal: Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis (Acta Biomed) Vol. 91 Issue 4 Pg. e2020120 (10 01 2020) ISSN: 2531-6745 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 33525201 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• COVID-19 (epidemiology, psychology, therapy)
• Critical Care
• Emergency Service, Hospital
• Female
• Humans
• Incidence
• Internship and Residency
• Italy
• Male
• Medical Staff, Hospital (psychology)
• Middle Aged
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (epidemiology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires