An Assessment of Psychological Need in Emergency Medical Staff in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Area.
METHODS
Psychological stress is increasingly recognised within emergency medicine, given the environmental and clinical stressors associated with the specialism. The current study assessed whether psychological distress is experienced by emergency medical staff and if so, what is the expressed need within this population?


METHODS
Participants included ambulance personnel, nursing staff, doctors and ancillary support staff within two Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments and twelve ambulance bases within one Trust locality in NI (N = 107).


METHODS
The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12, Goldberg, 1972, 1978), Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS, Bride, 2004) and an assessment of need questionnaire were completed and explored using mixed method analysis.


RESULTS
Results showed elevated levels of psychological distress within each profession except ambulance service clinical support officers (CSOs). Elevated levels of secondary trauma symptomatology were also found; the highest were within some nursing grades and junior doctors. Decreased enjoyment in job over time was significantly associated with higher scores. Analysis of qualitative data identified sources of stress to include low morale. A total of 65% of participants thought that work related stressors had negatively affected their mental health. Participants explored what they felt could decrease psychological distress including improved resources and psychoeducation.


CONCLUSIONS
There were elevated levels of distress and secondary traumatic stress within this population as well as an expressed level of need, on both systemic and support levels.
Clinical Psychology 2 Floor Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, 180 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 6BE.
McAleese
M
Aisling
Consultant and Clinical Lead in Emergency Medicine , Emergency Department, Causeway Hospital, 4 Newbridge Road Coleraine BT52 1HS.
Diamond
D
Aisling
Assistant Course Director, DClinPsych, David Keir Building, 18 - 30 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5AG.
Curran
C
David
D000328:Adult; D000068376:Compassion Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009660:Northern Ireland; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Psychological need; occupational stress; secondary traumatic stress