TY - JOUR PY - 2018// TI - Work-related adverse events leaving their mark: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynecologists JO - BMC psychiatry A1 - Baas, Melanie A. M. A1 - Scheepstra, Karel W. F. A1 - Stramrood, Claire A. I. A1 - Evers, Ruth A1 - Dijksman, Lea M. A1 - van Pampus, Maria G. SP - e73 EP - e73 VL - 18 IS - 1 N2 - BACKGROUND: Health care professionals who are frequently coping with traumatic events have an increased risk of developing a posttraumatic stress disorder. Research among physicians is scarce, and obstetrician-gynecologists may have a higher risk. Work-related traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder among obstetricians-gynecologists and the (desired) type of support were studied.

METHODS: A questionnaire was emailed to all members of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which included residents, attending, retired and non-practicing obstetricians-gynecologists. The questionnaire included questions about personal experiences and opinions concerning support after work-related events, and a validated questionnaire for posttraumatic stress disorder.

RESULTS: The response rate was 42.8% with 683 questionnaires eligible for analysis. 12.6% of the respondents have experienced a work-related traumatic event, of which 11.8% met the criteria for current posttraumatic stress disorder. This revealed an estimated prevalence of 1.5% obstetricians-gynecologists with current posttraumatic stress disorder. 12% reported to have a support protocol or strategy in their hospital after adverse events. The most common strategies to cope with emotional events were: to seek support from colleagues, to seek support from family or friends, to discuss the case in a complication meeting or audit and to find distraction. 82% would prefer peer-support with direct colleagues after an adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey implies that work-related events can be traumatic and subsequently can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder. There is a high prevalence rate of current posttraumatic stress disorder among obstetricians-gynecologists. Often there is no standardized support after adverse events. Most obstetrician-gynecologists prefer peer-support with direct colleagues after an adverse event. More awareness must be created during medical training and organized support must be implemented.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1471-244X UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1659-1 ID - ref1 ER -