Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Healthcare Workers

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among healthcare workers arises when exposure to traumatic events in clinical settings overwhelms an individual’s capacity to process and integrate distressing experiences. These events may include witnessing patient suffering or death, facing personal risk during infectious disease outbreaks, or enduring moral dilemmas under resource scarcity. Core manifestations encompass intrusive memories, avoidance of reminders, negative alterations in mood and cognition, and a state of persistent hyperarousal. Prevalence estimates vary widely, from single digits in routine hospital contexts to over 70 per cent in intensive care units during periods of acute crisis. Risk factors include direct patient contact, inadequate personal protective equipment, high workload, lack of social or organisational support and pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities. Protective elements such as robust peer networks, targeted resilience training and timely psychological interventions can mitigate symptom severity. Globally, recognition of PTSD in this workforce has driven investment in early screening, peer-support programmes and systemic reforms in staffing and resource allocation. Ongoing research emphasises the need for longitudinal studies to track the trajectory of stress responses and to evaluate the efficacy of both individual-level and institutional strategies for prevention and recovery.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Healthcare Workers publication trend

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Technical terms

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A psychiatric condition triggered by exposure to one or more traumatic events, characterised by intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood and hyperarousal.

Intrusion symptoms: Unwanted, distressing recollections or flashbacks of the traumatic event that involuntarily enter consciousness.

Avoidance: Efforts to evade thoughts, feelings or external reminders associated with the traumatic experience.

Hyperarousal: A heightened physiological and psychological state, manifesting as irritability, sleep disturbance, hypervigilance and an exaggerated startle response.

Resilience: The capacity to maintain or regain psychological well-being in the face of adversity through adaptive coping and supportive resources.

References

1. Traumatic stress symptoms among Spanish healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective study. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences (2023).
2. Post-traumatic stress disorder among ICU healthcare professionals before and after the Covid-19 health crisis: a narrative review. Annals of Intensive Care (2023).
3. Prevalence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among Chinese health care workers following the COVID-19 pandemic. Heliyon (2023).