Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression among Czech critical care and general surgical and medical ward nurses

Purpose: Our aim was to determine the occurrence of posttraumatic symptoms and symptoms of anxiety and depression among nurses in a Czech tertiary hospital. In addition, we attempted to explore the relationship between stressful work factors, work overload and disturbed interpersonal relationships, and the appearance of their symptoms. Methods: Nurses received an anonymous three-part questionnaire including PTSS-10 and HADS inventories. Results: In the case of general nurses the most prevalent symptoms were of anxiety (44%), followed by symptoms of depression (15%) and then posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (7%). Similarly, for intensive care unit (ICU) nurses anxiety symptoms were the most prevalent (28%), followed by symptoms of depression (15%) and PTSD (3%). We identified certain specific traumatic factors present in particular workplaces (care for dying patients and the bodies of the deceased, and participation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, all found in general units, and care for potential organ donors in ICUs). General nurses were less satisfied with their job and their workload was high. It seems that in both workplaces, the occurrence of symptoms of anxiety best correlated with several estimated markers of high workload. Conclusion: The study revealed a high incidence of symptoms of anxiety, especially in general nurses, and it pointed to the low incidence of symptoms of PTSD. Our results are not in accordance with the conclusions of some studies published on this topic.