Citation

Copanitsanou P, Drakoutos E, Kechagias V. Orthop. Nurs. 2018; 37(1): 43-53.

Affiliation

Panagiota Copanitsanou, PhD, MSc, RN, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, General Hospital of Piraeus "Tzaneio," Piraeus, Greece. Evagelos Drakoutos, MD, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, Crete, Greece. Vasileios Kechagias, MD, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, General Hospital of Volos, Volos, Greece.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses)

DOI

10.1097/NOR.0000000000000417

PMID

29369134

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The psychological response of injured people after traffic accidents includes stress and depression.

PURPOSE: To assess orthopaedic patients' stress, depression, and satisfaction with life after traffic accidents in Greece.

METHODS: Descriptive, longitudinal, correlational study. Patients' background factors, injury severity, scores on the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale, and the Satisfaction With Life Quality (SWLQ) Scale were recorded. The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were applied.

RESULTS: In total, 60 patients participated in this study during hospitalization following a road traffic accident and 40 patients at 6 months after. Participants were mostly men (75%) with severe injuries (50%). The IES-R score at 6 months was significantly lower than during hospitalization. One out of 3 people had a CES-D score, which is considered of clinical significance. The SWLQ scores were considered high.

CONCLUSION: As posttraumatic stress and depression seem to affect a considerable percentage of people involved in road traffic accidents in Greece, these individuals should be assessed for posttraumatic stress and depression while still hospitalized.

Language: en