Workplace interventions to prevent or reduce post‐traumatic stress disorder and symptoms among hospital nurses: A scoping review

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to identify literature on evaluated workplace interventions to prevent or reduce the prevalence or impact of work‐related post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptoms among hospital nurses. A second objective was to summarise and compare the characteristics and effectiveness of these interventions. Background A substantial proportion of nurses report PTSD symptoms. Previous reviews have synthesised interventions to address PTSD in military and other high‐risk populations, but similar work focusing on nurses has yet to be conducted. Methods We conducted a scoping review with the question: What interventions have been studied to prevent or treat PTSD symptoms or PTSD among nurses working in hospitals? We followed the PRISMA Scoping Review Checklist using an unregistered protocol. We searched in twelve academic and grey literature databases (e.g. MedLine, CINAHL) with no language restrictions. We included publications reporting on interventions which were evaluated for measurable impacts on PTSD and PTSD symptoms among nursing staff working in inpatient settings from 1980 to 2019, and charted study characteristics in a spreadsheet. Results From 7746 results, 63 studies moved to full‐text screening, and six studies met inclusion criteria. Methodologies included three randomised controlled studies, one quasi‐experimental study, one pre‐post feasibility study and one descriptive correlational study. Four studies reported a significant reduction in PTSD scores in intervention groups compared with baseline or comparison, when using debriefing, guided imagery or mindfulness‐based exercises. Conclusions This review identified six studies evaluating hospital‐based interventions to reduce PTSD and PTSD symptoms among hospital nurses, with some positive effects reported, contributing to a preliminary evidence base on reducing workplace trauma. Larger studies can compare nurse subpopulations, and system‐level interventions should expand the focus from individuals to organisations. Relevance to clinical practice This review can inform nursing and hospital leaders developing evidence‐based interventions for PTSD among nurses.

Preventing post-traumatic stress disorder and supporting the mental health of hospital nurses: interventions and innovations

“…This scoping review from Liyanage et al aimed to identify workplace interventions to prevent or reduce the impact of work-related PTSD and its related symptoms among hospital nurses 2…”

“…It is recognised that nurses are at risk of developing PTSD or its symptoms. This can be attributed to several work-related reasons, including witnessing or directly experiencing trauma in the workplace, such as workplace violence, or the repeated exposure to the trauma suffered by those in their care 1 2. Developing PTSD or its symptoms can negatively affect nurses’ physical and psychological well-being and may negatively impact care delivery 1.…”

Workplace violence and the risk of post‐traumatic stress disorder and burnout among nurses: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…This research classified the mediating and moderating factors that may influence the programme effects into three categories based on the conservation of resources theory (Laeeque et al, 2018) According to the conservation of resources theory, the social/ organizational resources can enhance the individuals' resilience beliefs that yields further personal resources and counteracts the energy depletion spiral (Hobfoll, 2001). Seeking these resources is a frequently used mechanism for coping with stress resulting from violence as well as minimizing the adverse effects of exposure to workplace aggression on PTSD and burnout (Cusack et al, 2016;Liyanage et al, 2022). The task-related resources are viewed as coping means that have the potential to lessen the negative effects of job stressors, because they allow workers to shape their work environment and limit their exposure to stressors (Portoghese et al, 2014).…”

Nurse admissions at a specialized mental health programme: A pre‐Covid‐19 retrospective review (2000–2019)

“…Therefore, providing help to nurses with mental disorders is critical both to their health and well-being and also reinforces patient safety and society's trust, whereas not doing so increases risk in these areas (Edwards & Burnard, 2003;Liyanage et al, 2021;Melnyk et al, 2020).…”