Characteristics and Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Public Safety Personnel with Work-Related Posttraumatic Stress Injury Undergoing Rehabilitation

Gross, Douglas P.; Rachor, Geoffrey S.; Yamamoto, Shelby; Dick, Bruce; Brown, Cary A.; Straube, Sebastian; Els, Charl; Jackson, Tanya; Brémault‐Phillips, Suzette; Voaklander, Don; Stastny, Jarett; Berry, Theodore P.

doi:10.1007/s10926-021-09963-w

Cited by 15 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Even with extensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation, only a minority of public safety personnel (PSP; police officers, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency medical workers, corrections officers, etc.) return to pre-accident work levels, and PSPs may be more likely than non-PSP workers to require ongoing wage replacement benefits (Gross et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peers supporting reintegration after occupational stress injuries: A qualitative analysis of a workplace reintegration facilitator training program developed by municipal police for public safety personnel

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Public safety personnel (PSP) are at increased risk of developing operational stress injuries. Peer-led reintegration programs (RPs) for PSP, evidence-based research is lacking. This study explored the experiences of PSP participating in a Reintegration Program Facilitator Training (RPFT) program. Participant ( n = 57) responses were collected from surveys, satisfaction and knowledge questionnaires, and a World Cafe. Four themes emerged: (1) traits of an ideal RF; (2) holistic/complementary workplace reintegration approach; (3) necessary features of the reintegration program; and (4) culture-specific considerations. While RPs hold promise, it is essential that evidence-based research be used to guide RPFT and RP spread and sustainability.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peers supporting reintegration after occupational stress injuries: A qualitative analysis of a workplace reintegration facilitator training program developed by municipal police for public safety personnel

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Most first responders report experiencing multiple traumatic events in their lives [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]. Approximately 6.8% of people develop PTSI over their lifetime [ 6 ]. PTSI symptoms may affect the general well-being of the individuals; alter mood; and contribute to insomnia, irritability, and traumatic flashbacks [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study conducted among first responders showed an increased risk of PTSI of 25.6% and 16.7% at 7 and 13 months, respectively, with a depression rate of 16%, after exposure to a traumatic event [ 18 ]. A proportion of first responders who are exposed to traumatic events seek psychological support or treatment [ 6 , 19 ]. There is no doubt that PTSI is a substantial mental health concern, especially among first responders, and contributes to a substantial overall cost for mental health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An E–Mental Health Solution to Prevent and Manage Posttraumatic Stress Injuries Among First Responders in Alberta: Protocol for the Implementation and Evaluation of Text Messaging Services (Text4PTSI and Text4Wellbeing)

Obuobi-Donkor¹,

Eboreime²,

Bond³

et al. 2022

JMIR Res Protoc

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background First responders are confronted with traumatic events in their work that has a substantial toll on their psychological health and may contribute to or result in posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs) for many responders. Persons with a PTSI usually seek management therapies. Evidence indicates that digital delivery of these therapies is an innovative, efficient, and effective way to improve PTSI symptoms as an adjunct to in-person delivery. Objective This project aims to implement and provide accessible, convenient, and economical SMS text messaging services, known as Text4PTSI and Text4Wellbeing, to first responders in Alberta, Canada; to prevent and improve the symptoms of PTSI among first responders; and to improve their overall quality of life. We will evaluate posttraumatic symptoms and the impact of Text4PTSI and Text4Wellbeing on stress, anxiety, and depression in relation to the correspondents’ demographic backgrounds. Methods First responders who subscribe to Text4PTSI or Text4Wellbeing receive daily supportive and psychoeducational SMS text messages for 6 months. The SMS text messages are preprogrammed into an online software program that delivers messages to subscribers. Baseline and follow-up data are collected through online questionnaires using validated scales at enrollment, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks (end point). In-depth interviews will be conducted to assess satisfaction with the text-based intervention. Results We hypothesize that participants who enroll in this program will have improved PTSI symptoms; increased or improved quality of life; and significant reduction in associated stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms, among other psychological concerns. Improvement will be determined in comparison to established baseline parameters. Conclusions This research will be beneficial for practitioners and will inform policy-making and decision-making regarding psychological interventions for PTSI. Lessons from this study will inform the scale-up of the intervention, a cost-effective, zero contact therapeutic option to manage PTSI. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/30680

show abstract

“…Detainee assaults and violent acts on correctional personnel are 40 times the average for all employees at 254 work‐related injuries per 10,000 full‐time equivalents 1 . Workplace dangers result in direct and indirect (bystander) experiences with trauma, also known as critical incidents (CIs), 2 and such experiences are common among public safety workers 3,4 . CI including violence are described as trauma‐inducing experiences where there is a threat to safety, well‐being, or integrity, and exposure to these incidents may trigger feelings of vulnerability, a perceived inability to maintain control, safety, or security, and distressing reactions such as fear and helplessness 6 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical incident exposure among custody and noncustody correctional workers: Prevalence and impact of violent exposure to work‐related trauma

Jaegers

Ghaziri

Katz

et al. 2022

American J Industrial Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Correctional workers are at high risk for exposure to trauma, both as direct violence and as threats to their safety and well‐being. The distress associated with these critical incidents (CIs) affects mental and physical health. Current tools are limited for detecting CIs in this workforce and are therefore insufficient for addressing correctional worker trauma. Methods Community prison employees (N = 105) self‐reported CIs using the adapted Correctional Worker Critical Incident Survey (CWCIS). We examined: (1) prevalence of CIs and occurrences, (2) differences in exposures to CIs by custody and noncustody staff, and (3) differences in job satisfaction, posttraumatic stress (PTSD), lower back disease, and health behaviors, such as missed work and sleep. Results CIs occurred among most staff (59%) and more often for custody staff as compared to noncustody staff. CIs most often experienced were coworker injury, exposure to disease, and badly beaten adults (frequency 10−50). For the 1−9 frequency category, the most described events were: seeing someone dying, life threatened, and coworker injury. PTSD was identified in 44% of staff, and those who experienced CIs reported lower job satisfaction, greater feelings of PTSD, and more work absences than those not experiencing CIs (p < 0.05). Conclusions CIs and PTSD are prevalent among custody and noncustody correctional workers; and job dissatisfaction, PTSD, and work absence are significantly worse for those who experienced CIs. The CWCIS detected CIs; future study is needed to inform trauma prevention, reduction, and rehabilitation interventions specific to correctional work.

show abstract

Characteristics and Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Public Safety Personnel with Work-Related Posttraumatic Stress Injury Undergoing Rehabilitation

Cited by 15 publications

References 27 publications

Peers supporting reintegration after occupational stress injuries: A qualitative analysis of a workplace reintegration facilitator training program developed by municipal police for public safety personnel

Peers supporting reintegration after occupational stress injuries: A qualitative analysis of a workplace reintegration facilitator training program developed by municipal police for public safety personnel

An E–Mental Health Solution to Prevent and Manage Posttraumatic Stress Injuries Among First Responders in Alberta: Protocol for the Implementation and Evaluation of Text Messaging Services (Text4PTSI and Text4Wellbeing)

Critical incident exposure among custody and noncustody correctional workers: Prevalence and impact of violent exposure to work‐related trauma

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About