Intensivist’s Responses to Potentially Traumatic Events: A Qualitative Study

Tracey Varker, Rahul Khanna, Peter Vernon Van Heerden, Aaron William Calhoun, Cameron Knott, Simone Zhang, Diane Dennis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Medical providers in the intensive care unit, also known as intensivists, are commonly exposed to potentially traumatic events. Yet, remarkably little is known about the impact of such exposures upon this group. The purpose of this study was to explore the emotional reactions of intensivists, working in either adult or pediatric clinical settings, to potentially traumatic events. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted face-to-face with intensivists from the United States, Australia, and Israel. Forty intensivists who had all experienced potentially traumatic events were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. The three themes identified were symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder; memories of the traumatic events experienced as being either burdensome or serving a useful purpose; and burnout. The experiences described by the intensivists around posttraumatic stress disorder aligned with several criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Overall, findings illustrate the significant emotional impacts that exposure to potentially traumatic events can have on intensivists and the critical need for the provision of psychological support

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)126–132
Number of pages7
JournalTraumatology
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Burnout
  • Intensive care unit
  • Intensivist
  • Ptsd
  • Traumatic event

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