| Learning Objective #1: Identify symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe the level of post traumatic stress disorder, types of coping mechanisms, and level of social support among Israeli nurses caring for patients injured in terrorist attacks |
Objective: To describe the level of post traumatic stress disorder, mechanisms of coping and social support among Israeli nurses caring for patients injured in terrorists attacks
Design: descriptive survey
Sample/setting: hospital nurses working in Israeli hospitals on units receiving patients who were injured in terrorrist attacks
Variables: post traumatic stress disorder; social support; coping mechanisms
Method: Anonymous pencil and paper questionniares were distributed to all nurses working on units receiving patients injured due to terrorist attacks. Nurses were asked to return the questionnaires into large envelopes on each unit which were then collected by the investigators. Post traumatic stress disorder was measured using the UCLA PTSD Index. Social support and coping mechanisms were measured using instruments developed for populations post Sept 11th (Social support-instrument by Galea et al (2002) coping mechanisms-instrument by Schuster et al (2002)
Findings: To date, only the results of pilot data are available. Approximately 20-30% of nurses report some aspect of PTSD, including panic attacks and depression. Coping mechanisms are commonly used however the type of coping is different from that found in other studies conducted in the United States. No significiant relationships were found as yet between demographic variables and coping mechanisms or PTSD.
Conclusions: Results are only preliminary at this point however it would seem that there is a rather large incidence of PTSD among Israeli nurses.
Implications: PTSD can be found among nurses who are repeatedly exposed to traumatic events. Mental health of these health care providers should therefore be considered.
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