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Review
. 2023 Apr 27:1-8.
doi: 10.1007/s40719-023-00259-3. Online ahead of print.

Stress Disorders: the Trauma Surgeon as the Second Victim

Ashley Y Williams  1 , C Caleb Butts  1
Affiliations
Review

Stress Disorders: the Trauma Surgeon as the Second Victim

Ashley Y Williams et al. Curr Trauma Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: We review the vocabulary and studies regarding stress disorders, as it relates to trauma care providers, specifically trauma surgeons. In addition, we make recommendations regarding strategies to address the needs identified and future areas of research to assess the adequacy of these strategies.

Recent findings: Stress disorders in trauma are common and constant, identified at levels similar to those seen among first-responders to mass-casualty events. These disorders are identified at every level-from trainee to the most experienced. Trauma surgeons experience the trauma firsthand, as well as through forced re-traumatization as a part of routine care. High levels of cumulative stress result due to the volume of patients that can be difficult to process due to the frequency of shifts and disrupted sleep patterns. This level of chronic stress can lead to a cycle of burnout and increased stress, which is harmful to surgeons and patients.

Summary: Stress disorders are common and poorly understood. Treatment options are infrequently encountered. In order to more adequately respond to this, systematic change is necessary.

Keywords: Acute stress disorder; Burnout; Moral injury; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Secondary traumatic stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing InterestsThe authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Diagnostic criteria
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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