Post‐traumatic stress symptoms in Swedish obstetricians and midwives after severe obstetric events: a cross‐sectional retrospective survey

Abstract

Querschnittsstudie Viele Geburtshelfer leiden unter posttraumatischem Stress Geburten sind ein riskantes Unternehmen, nicht nur für Mutter und Kind, sondern auch für die betreuenden Ärzte und Hebammen. Nicht wenige brechen unter der Belastung zusammen, wie die Ergebnisse einer schwedischen Studie verdeutlichen.

A programme for the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder in midwifery (POPPY): indications of effectiveness from a feasibility study

“…The integration of POPPY training into mandatory study days removed the potential for self-selection, and therefore the findings confirm that the experience of trauma and PTSD is an issue for clinical services. These findings also confirm recent studies highlighting that a significant proportion of midwives experience trauma and consequential PTSD as part of their working lives (Leinweber et al, 2017; Schrøder et al, 2016; Wahlberg et al, 2016). …”

“…There is growing acknowledgement internationally of the need to identify methods of reducing midwives’ distress following trauma exposure (Cohen, Leykin, Golan-Hadari, & Lahad, 2017; Leinweber et al, 2017a; Wahlberg et al, 2016). …”

“…A study of obstetricians and midwives in Sweden ( n  = 706) reported that 43% of obstetricians had experienced a work-related event fulfilling Criteria A1 and A2 of the DSM-IV-TR, and that 7% were reporting symptoms fulfilling PTSD criteria (Wahlberg et al, 2016). Obstetricians reporting partial or probable levels of PTSD were more likely to have changed their location of practice away from the delivery suite, having stopped being on call or changing their allocation to outpatient care (Wahlberg et al, 2016). Given the evidence of parallel impacts, there is a requirement to examine the experiences of obstetricians and gynaecologists further and determine whether, and how, elements of POPPY could be extrapolated for the benefit of this professional group.…”

“…After a traumatic experience, midwives may take time off sick, change their clinical allocation or consider leaving midwifery altogether (Leinweber, Creedy, Rowe, & Gamble, 2017a; Sheen et al, 2015; Wahlberg et al, 2016). In an Australian survey, midwives with probable PTSD were four times more likely than those without to report an intention to leave their profession (Leinweber, Creedy, Rowe, & Gamble, 2017b).…”

“…In an Australian survey, midwives with probable PTSD were four times more likely than those without to report an intention to leave their profession (Leinweber, Creedy, Rowe, & Gamble, 2017b). Swedish midwives with partial or probable PTSD symptoms were significantly more likely to report that they had amended their clinical allocation to outpatient care, and to have taken sick leave following a trauma experience when compared to midwives without partial or probable PTSD (Wahlberg et al, 2016). The potential for increased disruption within services is a pertinent issue for UK maternity organizations, where existing and increasing pressures on staff have been attributed to workforce shortages, increasing birth rates and case complexity (RCM, 2017b).…”