Exposure to Workplace Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Intern Physicians

Abstract

Key Points Question What is the prevalence of work-related trauma exposure, and what factors are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder among intern physicians? Findings In this cohort study of 1134 interns, 56.4% reported trauma exposure during internship, and 19.0% of those experiencing trauma screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder. Risk factors for trauma exposure included non-Hispanic White race/ethnicity, more hours worked, early family environment, and baseline stressful life experiences; risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder included being unmarried and non-Hispanic White, concern about medical errors, stressful life experiences during internship, and depression or anxiety at 12 months. Meaning This study’s findings suggest that work-related trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder are prevalent among interns, and interventions may improve physician well-being.

Trauma-Informed Care Curricula for the Health Professions: A Scoping Review of Best Practices for Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

“…Lifetime trauma exposure is prevalent in health care professionals, and clinicians face widespread vicarious workplace trauma that occurs even from the beginning of their careers. 128 A cohort study of intern physicians found that 56.4% of participants reported exposure to trauma in the workplace, 129 and a cross-sectional national survey of surgical residents indicated that PTSD prevalence was more than 3 times that of the general population. 130 Occupational exposure to trauma is continuous and can have deleterious effects on practitioners' personal wellness and patient care outcomes.…”

Prevalence of Psychopathological Symptoms and Their Determinants in Four Healthcare Workers’ Categories during the Second Year of COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In terms of the differences found in post-traumatic symptoms, physicians seem to be the most affected. The significant difference observed when comparing physicians and other healthcare professionals, which, to our knowledge, has not been investigated in previous studies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, might be explained by considering the main independent risk factors for post-traumatic disorders in healthcare, which are (i) working on the front line; (ii) being under occupational pressure; (iii) receiving a low level of support from the hospital administration; and (iv) having greater responsibility for frontline clinical care [ 28 , 29 ]. Especially during exceptional events such as the current pandemic, such conditions typically affect frontline healthcare workers, doctors in particular, who, more than the others, have to take on the decision-making responsibility of patients’ lives.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among First-Year Resident Physicians Working Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Participants completed a baseline survey 2 months before their residency start, followed by quarterly surveys during the intern year (eAppendix 1 in Supplement 1). The fourth quarterly survey included the adapted Primary Care PTSD Screen for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (PC-PTSD-5) …”