Nursing personnel-potential psychological victims in major catastrophy care
Section: Ethics and Society
How to quote
Díaz M, Hernández JE, Cilleros L, García M, Jaén de Cara A, Díaz R. Los enfermeros, potenciales víctimas psicológicas en la atención de catástrofes. Metas de Enfermería jun 2003; 6(5): 06-08
Authors
1Maximino Díaz Hernández, 2José Enrique Hernández Rodríguez, 3Lucía Cilleros Pino, 4Miguel García Irimia, 5Ana Jaén de Cara, 6Rafael Díaz Pérez
Position
1Psicólogo. Enfermero. Profesor Titular del Departamento de Enfermería de la Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). Miembro del Grupo de Intervención y Desastres y Emergencias del Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Las Palmas (GRIDEM). 2Enfermero. Profesor Titular del Departamento de Enfermería de la ULPGC. Vicedecano de Enfermería de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.3Enfermera. Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria (HUIGC). Unidad de Hospitalización de Traumatología. 4Enfermero. HUIGC. Servicio de Urgencias.5Enfermera. HUIGC. Servicio de Admisión.6Enfermero. HUIGC. Supervisor de la Unidad de Hospitalización de Traumatología.
Contact address
C/ Paseo de Madrid, 89. 35250 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Abstract
In a major catastrophic situation, the help of specifically trained professional personnel is greatly needed in different fields of duty and for different tasks. However, because these professionals, including health personnel and particularly nursing professionals, become actively involve in these rescue missions, they can be considered potential victims of the situation due to the psychological exposure they have to undertake.
It is thus imperative for nursing professionals to be informed and duly trained to set into action mechanisms that will help them diminish the effect of the psychological consequences of being involved in such tragedies. After a major catastrophe, it is important to assess whether the nursing personnel that participated in the rescue are in need of psychological help. This psychological help will help them deal with the emotional turmoil or unease that the situation may have brought about and determine whether they need further psychological therapy that will help them reduce the sequelae from possible post-traumatic stress, which they are likely to suffer despite their professionalism and training.
Keywords:
emergencies; catastrophes; psychological victims; psychological intervention; defusingdebriefing
Versión en Español
Título:
Los enfermeros, potenciales víctimas psicológicas en la atención de catástrofes
