TraumaNCT03842553
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Rescuers at Risk
An observational study of Trauma and PTSD, run by University of Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial summary
This cross-sectional, anonymous online survey aims to examine how salient variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across the following professions of rescue workers: firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Trauma, PTSD, Self Efficacy
- How many people
- 1,001 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- Jun 2014to May 2015
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Employees of rescue and emergency services in the canton Bern, Switzerland: - Firefighters of the canton Bern * Ambulance personnel of the canton Bern * Police officers of the canton Bern * Emergency nurses of the University Hospital of Bern * Psychiatric nurses of University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern
Who may be able to join
- Employee at the rescue or emergency services. The participation in the anonymous online study is voluntary and promoted by the department heads at the places of work corresponding to the studied professions. No ethical approval is needed as the survey was voluntary and anonymous and participants gave consent to use the data with their participation.
Who cannot join
- None
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Switzerland1 site
University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern
Bern, 3000
About this study
Official title: Rescuers at Risk: Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Differ Among Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Ambulance Personnel, and Emergency and Psychiatric Nurses
This cross-sectional, anonymous online survey aims to examine how salient variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across the following professions of rescue workers: firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. PTSS, coping strategies, well-being, suicidal ideation, previously experienced and work-related trauma, and self-efficacy were measured and analyzed using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
Read the detailed description
Employees of rescue and emergency services are at a risk of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to exposure to trauma and work-related stressors. Salient predictors for the development of PTSS among rescue workers have been identified; however, little is known about how predictors (e.g. coping strategies) differ among professions requiring repeated engagement in emergencies. The present survey examines how these variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across different professions of rescue Workers using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
- Conditions
- Trauma, PTSD, Self Efficacy, Coping Skills, Suicidal Ideation
- Being tested
- No Intervention: anonymous online survey
- Keywords
- PTSD, Trauma, Coping, Self Efficacy
- Medical subject headings
- Wounds and Injuries, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Suicidal Ideation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
No Intervention: anonymous online surveyOther
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Police officers | Police officers from the cantonal police forces in Bern, Switzerland Receives: Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey | |
| Firefighters | Firefighters from the professional fire service of the Canton Bern, Switzerland Receives: Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey | |
| Ambulance personnel | Ambulance personnel of the Canton Bern, Switzerland Receives: Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey | |
| Emergency nurses | Emergency nurses of the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland Receives: Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey | |
| Psychiatric nurses | Psychiatric nurses of the University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Switzerland Receives: Other: No Intervention: anonymous online survey |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
PTSS-10
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms assessed with the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale, a self-rating scale used in screening and follow-up studies on catastrophe that measures the most common posttraumatic symptoms (sleep disorders, nightmares, fear of reminders, etc.)
Measured: at baseline
Secondary outcomes (3)
Well-being
Mental well-being assessed with the German version of the shortest General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders were assessed with the German Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI).
Measured: at baseline
Suicidal Ideation
Participants were asked if they had suicidal ideation in the 12 months prior to the questionnaire
Measured: within the last 12 months before the survey
Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders
German Version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The 53-item self-report questionnaire measures symptoms of general psychopathology.
Measured: at baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Feb 2019
- Study startJun 2014
- Primary completionMay 2015
- Study completionMay 2015
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for TraumaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of BernThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 1,001 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Bern
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Leila Soravia, Ph.D., Principal investigator, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03842553
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PTSD2014
- Status last verified
- Mar 2019
- First submitted
- 4 Feb 2019
- Last updated
- 22 Mar 2019
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Soravia LM, Schwab S, Walther S, Muller T. Rescuers at Risk: Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Ambulance Personnel, and Emergency and Psychiatric Nurses. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 19;11:602064. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.602064. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 33542696
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Mar 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Rescuers at Risk: Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Differ Among Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Ambulance Personnel, and Emergency and Psychiatric Nurses
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03842553
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PTSD2014
- Conditions
- Trauma, PTSD, Self Efficacy, Coping Skills, Suicidal Ideation
- Keywords
- PTSD, Trauma, Coping, Self Efficacy
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 1,001 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of BernUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jun 2014 (actual)
- Primary completion
- May 2015 (actual)
- Study completion
- May 2015 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Feb 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This cross-sectional, anonymous online survey aims to examine how salient variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across the following professions of rescue workers: firefighters, ambulance personnel, police officers, and emergency and psychiatric nurses. PTSS, coping strategies, well-being, suicidal ideation, previously experienced and work-related trauma, and self-efficacy were measured and analyzed using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
Detailed description
Employees of rescue and emergency services are at a risk of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to exposure to trauma and work-related stressors. Salient predictors for the development of PTSS among rescue workers have been identified; however, little is known about how predictors (e.g. coping strategies) differ among professions requiring repeated engagement in emergencies. The present survey examines how these variables influence PTSS, well-being, and suicidal ideation across different professions of rescue Workers using multiple regression and structural equation modeling.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 5
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Police officers | – | Other: No Intervention: anonymous online surveyPolice officers from the cantonal police forces in Bern, Switzerland |
| Firefighters | – | Other: No Intervention: anonymous online surveyFirefighters from the professional fire service of the Canton Bern, Switzerland |
| Ambulance personnel | – | Other: No Intervention: anonymous online surveyAmbulance personnel of the Canton Bern, Switzerland |
| Emergency nurses | – | Other: No Intervention: anonymous online surveyEmergency nurses of the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland |
| Psychiatric nurses | – | Other: No Intervention: anonymous online surveyPsychiatric nurses of the University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Switzerland |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Employees of rescue and emergency services in the canton Bern, Switzerland: - Firefighters of the canton Bern * Ambulance personnel of the canton Bern * Police officers of the canton Bern * Emergency nurses of the University Hospital of Bern * Psychiatric nurses of University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Employee at the rescue or emergency services. The participation in the anonymous online study is voluntary and promoted by the department heads at the places of work corresponding to the studied professions. No ethical approval is needed as the survey was voluntary and anonymous and participants gave consent to use the data with their participation.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- None
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| No Intervention: anonymous online survey | Other | Ambulance personnel, Emergency nurses, Firefighters, Police officers, Psychiatric nurses |
Primary outcome
PTSS-10
Time frame: at baseline
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms assessed with the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale, a self-rating scale used in screening and follow-up studies on catastrophe that measures the most common posttraumatic symptoms (sleep disorders, nightmares, fear of reminders, etc.)
3 secondary outcomes
Well-being
Time frame: at baseline
Suicidal Ideation
Time frame: within the last 12 months before the survey
Psychological distress and psychiatric disorders
Time frame: at baseline
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Mar 2019.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33542696Soravia LM, Schwab S, Walther S, Muller T. Rescuers at Risk: Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Ambulance Personnel, and Emergency and Psychiatric Nurses. Front Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 19;11:602064. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.602064. eCollection 2020.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Leila Soravia, Ph.D. principal investigator
University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Trauma and PTSD, run by University of Bern at 1 site in Switzerland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Mar 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
PTSS-10 (time frame: at baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03842553, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Mar 2019.