Citation

Richter D, Berger K. Nervenarzt, Der 2009; 80(1): 68-73.

Vernacular Title

Psychische Folgen von Patientenubergriffen auf Mitarbeiter. Prospektive und

Affiliation

LWL-Klinik Münster, Münster, Deutschland. dirk.richter@bfh.ch

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00115-008-2564-5

PMID

18806980

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychological consequences of patient assaults on staff members have rarely been examined with instruments established for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research. In prior studies, self-defined questionnaires and outcomes were used instead. METHODS: We conducted two studies, one prospective study with two follow-ups and one retrospective. Forty-six and 88 mental health care workers were interviewed, respectively, for psychological consequences after a patient assault. Validated instruments from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research were used (PCL-C, IES-R). RESULTS: In the first weeks following patient assault, 17% of respondents of the prospective study fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PTSD according to DSM-IV. After further 2 and 6 months in the respective studies, the PTSD rates had decreased to 11%. In the retrospective study 3% of respondents still had a PTSD diagnosis on average 1.5 years after the assault. CONCLUSIONS: Patient assaults can cause PTSD in staff members of mental health institutions. Institutions need to organise adequate care for their staff affected by assault.

Language: de