1. Evaluation of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screening Measures of Emergency Medical Services Clinicians in Urban and Suburban New York During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.
- Author
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Maloney LM, Robitsek RJ, McKenzie K, Peralta E, and Valenzuela JY
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Female, Adult, Emergency Medical Services, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Pandemics, New York epidemiology, Emergency Medical Technicians psychology, Mass Screening methods, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 psychology, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic epidemiology, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic diagnosis
- Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the self-reported rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians in urban and suburban settings that were one of the primary epicenters during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Anonymous surveys containing the PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCL-S) were sent electronically between November 2020 and April 2021 to EMS clinicians working in 2 EMS agencies. A threshold score ≥ 36 was considered a positive screen for PTSD symptomology; a score ≥ 44 was considered a presumptive PTSD diagnosis., Results: Of the 214 surveys sent, 107 responses were returned. The total PCL-S scores suggested PTSD symptoms were present in 33% of responding EMS clinicians (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.1%-42.5%), and 25% (95% CI, 17.6%-34.7%) met the criteria for a presumptive diagnosis of PTSD. Regression revealed increasing PCL-S scores were associated with thoughts of job resignation (+3.8; 95% CI, 1.1-6.4; P = .006), whereas lower PCL-S scores were related to the degree that respondents believed emotional support was available at their institution (-3.6; 95% CI, -6.8 to -0.4; P = .03)., Conclusion: Sixth months after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, one third of participating EMS clinicians screened positive for PTSD symptoms. Pandemic planning must address the mental health of EMS clinicians to reduce subsequent burnout and maintain a healthy workforce., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The author(s) have no relevant disclosures. There was no grant funding or financial support for this manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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