Prehospital Emergency Nurses' coping strategies associated to traumatic experiencesShow others and affiliations
2021 (English)In: International Emergency Nursing, ISSN 1755-599X, E-ISSN 1878-013X, Vol. 59, no November, article id 101083Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Sustainable development
SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Abstract [en]
Background
Prehospital care constitutes a work environment in which Prehospital Emergency Nurses (PENs) are exposed to traumatic situations that can lead to stress and increase their vulnerability to stress reactions. PENs' coping strategies after traumatic experiences have been little explored, which suggests that an investigation leading to a deeper understanding of their coping strategies is needed.
Aim
To investigate and describe PENs' coping strategies after traumatic experiences.
Method
A descriptive, inductive design with a qualitative research approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Graneheim and Lundman's method of content analysis. Twelve PENs were interviewed.
Results
The main theme that emerged was: "a professional approach supports coping strategies for traumatic experiences". Being unprepared increases the feeling of vulnerability when facing a traumatic event, even though PENs acknowledge that traumatic events are unavoidable in their profession. Previous experiences and mental preparation help PENs to keep focused. To be able to act professionally, PENs distance themselves, thus acquiring a sense of control. Inter-professional teamwork can reduce the sense of aloneness.
Conclusion
PENs' coping involves several strategies. Their own processing and understanding of an experience are crucial for the management of their own feelings, also affecting the care that PENs can offer the next patient. This study emphasises that a professional approach is the strongest coping strategy after traumatic events.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2021. Vol. 59, no November, article id 101083
Keywords [en]
EMS, Coping, Traumatic events, Nursing, Professional development, Prehospital emergency nurses
National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Health and Caring Sciences, Nursing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-108154DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2021.101083ISI: 000711040500001PubMedID: 34655929Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85116868854Local ID: 2021OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-108154DiVA, id: diva2:1614178
2021-11-242021-11-242021-12-06Bibliographically approved