title: Trauma and stress-related disorders in German emergency physicians: the predictive role of personality factors.
abstract: Emergency medical personnel (EMP) are repeatedly exposed to traumatic and stressful events with possible consequences on their mental wellbeing. Out of the group of EMP, we chose German Emergency Physicians (EP), because they represent a distinct group within the German pre-hospital emergency services. In this group, we studied the prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), burnout and depression. We specifically focussed on the role of personality and other factors of vulnerability. Four hundred eighty-seven German EPs answered questionnaires with scales assessing probable PTSD, burnout, depression, and personality factors. Additionally, we asked for biographic, occupational and mental health information. More than 90% of the participants reported at least one traumatic event. We found low to moderate levels of stress-related disorders with 16.8% of participants meeting the criteria for probable PTSD, 4.1% for burnout, and 3.1% for clinical depression. We identified four clusters of personalities that were related to the prevalence of PTSD and depression. The type of personality seems to be more predictive of the development of trauma and stress-related disorders than the EPs' traumatic experiences.
authors: Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany. pajonk@psyspi.de
authors: Frank-Gerald Bernhard
authors: FG
authors: Pajonk
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Cransac
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Müller
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Teichmann
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002605:Character; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D060731:Emergency Responders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010815:Physician Impairment / Q000523:psychology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires