Citation

Tatebe LC, Siva NR, Pekarek S, Liesen E, Wheeler A, Reese C, Schlanser V, Kaminsky M, Messer T, Starr F, Mis J, Bokhari F, Dennis A. J. Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Rush University, Midwestern University. leah.tatebe@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, nandinirajaramsiva@gmail.com. Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Midwestern University. spekarek99@midwestern.edu Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Midwestern University. eliesen82@midwestern.edu Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health. awheeler@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health. creese@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Rush University, Midwestern University. victoria.schlanser@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Rush University, Midwestern University. mkaminsky2@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Rush University. tmesser@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Rush University, Midwestern University. fstarr@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Midwestern University. justin.mis@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Rush University. fbokhari@cookcountyhhs.org Department of Trauma and Burn Surgery, Cook County Health, Rush University, Midwestern University. adennis@cookcountytrauma.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TA.0000000000002671

PMID

32176168

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Emergency responders face a crisis of rising suicide rates, and many resist seeking help due to the stigma surrounding mental health. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of an urban trauma center to screen for post-traumatic stress (PTS) among emergency responders and to provide mental health services.

METHODS: Paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement, and corrections officers involved with patients in the trauma unit were asked to complete the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Post-Traumatic Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Additional factors known to affect PTS were correlated: occupation, age, gender, years of service, marital status, children, and pets. Willingness and barriers to seeking interventions for PTS were evaluated.

RESULTS: A total of 258 responded: 36.7% paramedics, 40.2% law enforcement officers, 18.4% corrections officers, 0.8% firefighters, and 3.5% with multiple positions. Responders had a mean of 14.5 years of service (SD 9.9). Mean PTGI and PCL-5 scores were 52.1 (SD 25.1) and 17.2 (SD 16.5), respectively. Overall, 24.7% had diagnostic PTS Disorder with no difference seen in rates between professions. Of these, 80.7% had not sought care. Barriers included that they were not concerned (46%), did not recognize symptoms (24%), and were worried about consequences (20%). Concern over career advancement or losing one's job was the greatest barrier cited for seeking care. Among law enforcement, 47.7% were concerned that they would lose their ability to carry a firearm if they sought care for PTS. PTGI score, divorce, and age 46-50 were the only factors examined that correlated with increased PCL-5 score. 82.5% felt the trauma center was the right place to screen and intervene upon PTS.

CONCLUSION: Trauma centers are an ideal and safe place to both screen for PTS and offer mental health assistance. Comprehensive trauma-informed care by hospital-based intervention programs must expand to include emergency responders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II; Epidemiological study type.

Language: en