P-972 - Tunisian Revolution Events: Psychological Impact on Emergency Personnel

Abstract

Background

During the Tunisian Revolution, health professionals at several emergency departments (ED) in Tunis faced difficult situations characterized by an extremely high throughput of patients who also suffered unusual lesions (gunshot wounds). Facing the omnipresent death during the bloodiest periods of the Revolution did definitely leave its traces on health professionals.

Objectives

To screen the emergency personnel for acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to identify the associated socio-professional risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was undertaken. Fifty medical and paramedical professionals who have worked at the emergency departments of Charles Nicolle, La Rabta and Mongi Slim hospitals in Tunis during the period of January 12, 2011 to January 18, 2011 were invited to complete a questionnaire with items related to the socio-professional and clinical features of each participant as well the Post-Traumatic Stress Questionnaire (PTSQ) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Results

Ten (20%) participants met the criteria for PTSD and six (12%) met those for ASD. Risk factors for either disorder include being a nurse and the presence of somatic or psychiatric history. The answer to the question “do you think your latest interventions at the ED had an impact on you?” Could be a simple and rapid screening method of post-traumatic psychiatric disorders with a negative predictive value of 91.3%.

Conclusions

Throughout this study, we emphasize the importance, in such circumstances, of an appropriate screening and an early management of post-traumatic conditions.