Citation

Lundin CR, Jørgensen HO, Christensen AK. Dan. Med. J. 2012; 59(10): A4510.

Affiliation

Tinghøjvej 18, 1. tv., 2860 Søborg, Denmark. christinarydahllundin@hotmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Danish Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23158889

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Since August 2006, the Danish Armed Forces have deployed junior medical officers (JMOs) to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Research has shown an increased incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in deployed military personnel throughout the history of modern warfare. No investigation of the mental health of Danish military medical personnel has been performed. We wanted to investigate the extent of potentially traumatizing events experienced by Danish JMOs and the prevalence of PTSD among them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all JMOs deployed for one or more tours of duty in Afghanistan from January 2006 to August 2010. Potential participants received a questionnaire to their home address including the PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version (PCL-C). RESULTS: A total of 72 JMOs were included in the survey. The completion rate was 65%. We found that 98% of the respondents had experienced a potentially traumatizing event and that 47% had experienced feeling fear, horror or helplessness in the context of such an event. The prevalence of PTSD was 0%. CONCLUSION: Danish JMOs do not seem to have an increased risk of PTSD after deployment to Afghanistan. However, further research on the mental health of this personnel group is needed. FUNDING: This study was partly funded by The Danish Armed Forces Health Services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the Danish Data Protection Agency.

Language: en