Post-traumatic stress symptoms experienced by healthcare workers in Lebanon four months following Beirut’s ammonium nitrate explosion: a survey-based study

Abstract

Background On August 4, 2020, Lebanon faced one of the deadliest mass casualty explosions the world has witnessed during the twenty-first century. The human and emotional tolls were heavy on attending physicians, clinical fellows, residents, interns, medical students, and registered nurses, who were working in dramatic conditions, triaging, and treating thousands of blast-related casualties. We evaluated the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS), among these healthcare workers (HCWs) from different Lebanese hospitals. Methods This is a multicentered, cross-sectional study that was conducted in December 2020, using an online questionnaire that evaluated the risk of developing PTSS based on the validated self-reported PTSD-Checklist for DSM-V (PCL-5). We also explored possible correlates with the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, job profile, mental health, and blast-related events. Results Out of 519 participants, 44% were at high risk of developing PTSS following Beirut-blast. Nurses, attending physicians, fellows, and participants who are older in age, married, or working at specific hospitals, were at a higher risk. Those identified at higher risk of PTSS were surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency medicine doctors, or radiologists; and they were more likely to be willing to migrate; having a prior history of psychiatric medication intake for PTSD treatment, a prior history of PTSD, or a personal history of seeking mental health service. At last, the latter two parameters as well as the number of examined injuries, severe home damage, and testing positive for the COVID-19 virus during the two weeks’ period that followed the blast were found to be predictors for the development of PTSS. Conclusion Lebanese in-hospital HCWs were found to be at a high risk of developing PTSS following the Beirut-Blast, thus we recommend public health authorities to provide adequate resources to avoid the emergence of mental illnesses among these rescuers.

The lack of specialized pediatric cardiac surgeons in Lebanon: a humanitarian catastrophe

“…First, the economic decline in Lebanon produced shortages in a variety of medications, which is detrimental for both surgical and non-surgical candidates [ 1 ]. In addition, with the 90% drop of the local currency’s value, healthcare workers’ salaries have taken a pitfall [ 2 ]. This left the majority of nurses, residents, physicians and surgeons poorly compensated for their efforts, resulting in significant drops in motivation levels among healthcare providers [ 2 ].…”

“…In addition, with the 90% drop of the local currency’s value, healthcare workers’ salaries have taken a pitfall [ 2 ]. This left the majority of nurses, residents, physicians and surgeons poorly compensated for their efforts, resulting in significant drops in motivation levels among healthcare providers [ 2 ]. Unfortunately, this further deteriorates the quality of care offered to patients, in general.…”

“…The threats faced by our medical systems are only expected to amplify. A cross-sectional, multicentered study was conducted to assess physicians’, clinical fellows’, residents’, interns’, and medical students’ attitudes towards emigration [ 2 ]. The study found that 75% of the 519 participants would emigrate if the opportunity presented itself [ 2 ].…”

“…Given the significant instability of life in Lebanon, emigration provides financial, emotional and psychological benefits that are difficult to overlook. This goes without mentioning the post-traumatic stress that many physicians associate with Beirut, particularly after the August 4 th Beirut Port Explosion [ 2 ].…”

“…From social unrest to the devaluation of the Lebanese pound, every facet of life has shifted. This goes without mentioning the massive Port Explosion on the 4 th of August 2020, which left citizens questioning the feasibility of life in Lebanon [ 2 ]. Importantly, this soon became reflected in Lebanon’s medical system.…”