| Document ID (ISN) | 102510 |
| CIS number |
03-1975 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
1351-0711 - Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
| Year |
2003 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Sluiter J.K., van der Beek A.J., Frings-Dresen M.H.W. |
| Title |
Medical staff in emergency situations: Severity of patient status predicts stress hormone reactivity and recovery |
| Bibliographic information |
May 2003, Vol.60, No.5, p.373-375. Illus. 2 ref. |
| Abstract |
Although repetitive exposure to stressful situations is thought to habituate the physical stress responses, work stress is experienced by medical personnel in emergency and intensive care units. The purpose of this study was to investigate neuroendocrine reactions (reactivity during and recovery after work) among experienced emergency caregivers during emergency situations. Participants included 20 male ambulance paramedics. A stress protocol was developed in which cortisol was measured in saliva at baseline, during the emergency period and during recovery. Four scenarios were tested between subjects in which the severity of the emergency situation and the time of day were taken into account. It was found that the endocrine reactions were higher during and after the handling of patients in direct life-threatening situations and during morning hours. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
first-aid and rescue organization; ambulances; stress factors; nursing personnel; emergency services |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
determination in saliva; hormones; neuro-endocrine effects; stress studies; circadian rhythm |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | Netherlands |
| Subject(s) |
Medicine, hygiene and first aid
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Stress, psychosocial factors
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Health care services
First aid and emergency organization
Mental stress and burnout
|
