Effects of the Omagh bombing on medical staff working in the local NHS trust: a longitudinal survey.
This article investigates post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms reported by doctors working in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing. Doctors responding to surveys 4 and 17 months after the incident reported the lowest symptom levels compared with other health service staff, with only 12% (2) above PTSD threshold at 17 months. Junior doctors had higher mean PTSD scores than seniors, although numbers are too small to test significance. Possible explanations are discussed and recommendations made.
Luce
Anna
A
Centre for Clinical Psychology and Healthcare Research, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Kielder House, Coach Lane Campus, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA.
Firth-Cozens
Jenny
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002960:Civil Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005107:Explosions; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland; D013222:State Medicine; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology*