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Psychological Trauma and the Trauma Surgeon

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Abstract

Research has demonstrated that first responders may develop psychological trauma/ posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the performance of their duties. Often overlooked in these studies of police, firefighters, and paramedics is an additional group of providers in this health care delivery system: the trauma surgeons, who receive the victims transported by the first responders. Although limited in scope, the research literature does identify the presence of PTSD in trauma surgeons. These studies have repeatedly cited the need for further information about psychological trauma for trauma surgeons. This paper addresses that need with a brief overview of psychological trauma, where surgeons may encounter victims, and how to cope with its aftermath.

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Author Statement

The author has no conflicts of interest nor grant funding sources to cite for this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery

  2. The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery

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  1. Raymond B. Flannery
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Correspondence to Raymond B. Flannery.

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This is a review of the literature article only. There were no human subjects and therefore no need for an IRB review, nor informed consent, nor committee involvement, and no need to obtain consent to publish. Similarly, there were no animals involved in this review with no need to discuss and present a statement and review of animal welfare in this project.

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Flannery, R.B. Psychological Trauma and the Trauma Surgeon. Psychiatr Q 93, 27–33 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09862-y

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