Mental health investigation on 111 emergency medical workers after suffering psychological violence

ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze the mental health status of emergency medical workers after suffering psychological violence, and provide the basis for psychological intervention of emergency medical workers.

MethodsTotally 111 emergency medical workers from 3 general hospitals who suffered psychological violence in recent 1 year were surveyed using self-evaluation of the anxiety scale (SAS), depression self rating scale (SDS), symptom self-assessment scale (SCL-90) and the results analyzed.

ResultsIn recent 1 year, 45.5% emergency medical workers suffered psychological violence in emergency department. The grades of SAS and SDS for emergency medical workers after suffering psychological violence were significantly higher than Chinese norms, which was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The somatization, compulsive symptoms, depression, anxiety, hostility, terror, paranoia, psychosis, and the number of positive items in SCL-90 in emergency medical workers after suffering psychological violence were also remarkably higher as compared with Chinese norms, which were statistically significant (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

ConclusionPsychological violence in workplaces causes serious harm to the mental health of emergency medical workers. Hospital administrators should pay attention to the psychological problems of emergency medical workers, strengthen psychological counseling, and take measures to prevent psychological violence in emergency department.