Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Not yet recruiting
Administrative data
NCT number |
NCT06288880 |
Other study ID # |
kilis_4 |
Secondary ID |
|
Status |
Not yet recruiting |
Phase |
|
First received |
|
Last updated |
|
Start date |
March 1, 2024 |
Est. completion date |
May 1, 2024 |
Study information
Verified date |
February 2024 |
Source |
Kilis 7 Aralik University |
Contact |
islam RA ELAGÖZ, MsC |
Phone |
+905304096124 |
Email |
islam.elagoz[@]kilis.edu.tr |
Is FDA regulated |
No |
Health authority |
|
Study type |
Observational [Patient Registry]
|
Clinical Trial Summary
This study investigates the impact of earthquake trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses
working in emergency services following the devastating earthquakes on 6 February 2023, in
Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. These earthquakes, with magnitudes of approximately 7.7 and 7.6,
affected 11 provinces and resulted in over 50,000 deaths and 100,000 injuries, placing
emergency service nurses at the forefront of dealing with the aftermath and trauma. The
concept of compassion fatigue, characterised by a reduced capacity for empathy after repeated
exposure to traumatic events, is a significant concern for nurses who have been directly
involved in the care of earthquake victims. This study aims to explore the extent of
earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue among these nurses, examining the relationship
between these two conditions and their long-term effects. Given the limited research on
post-traumatic stress disorder and compassion fatigue among emergency service nurses, this
study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the psychological impacts of disaster
response on healthcare professionals. The hypotheses tested aim to better understand the
risks and psychological burdens faced by nurses in the wake of such natural disasters.
Description:
On 6 February 2023, two earthquakes with magnitudes of approximately 7.7 Mw and 7.6 Mw
occurred at 04:17 and 13:24 local time, centred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. These earthquakes
affected a wide geographical area encompassing 11 provinces of Turkey (Kahramanmaraş, Hatay,
Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Malatya, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, and Elâzığ),
leading to significant destruction. As a result of this disaster, more than 50,000 people
lost their lives, and over 100,000 were injured. Emergency service nurses, in particular,
were at the forefront of this catastrophe, witnessing moments of intense trauma. Nurses
working in emergency services had to care for patients with open wounds, closed and open
fractures, vascular injuries, compartment syndrome, crush syndrome, amputations, and more.
Such traumatic experiences have caused emergency service nurses to suffer from earthquake
trauma to a greater extent. Consequently, stress disorders following trauma caused by the
earthquake are a serious and common condition among emergency service nurses working in the
earthquake zone.
Another issue encountered by emergency service nurses serving people exposed to trauma during
the earthquake is compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue, a term coined by Joinson (1992) to
describe the state of burnout experienced by nurses working in emergency services, is known
in the international literature as "compassion fatigue" and is referred to as "şefkat
yorgunluğu," "merhamet yorgunluğu," and "eş duyum yorgunluğu" in Turkey. Compassion fatigue
is also known as secondary traumatic stress disorder, secondary victimisation, and indirect
trauma. It is characterised by a reduced capacity for empathy following repeated exposure to
traumatic situations experienced by others.
Exposure to such stressful and traumatic workplace events can lead to burnout, post-traumatic
stress disorders, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues related to trau. A
systematic review reported significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and
psychological distress among nurses working in the earthquake zone. Another study showed that
25% of emergency service nurses experienced severe depression and sleep disorders, with their
anxiety levels being higher than those of nurses working in other unit. A systematic review
covering the years 1989-2019 reported that 25.8% of emergency service nurses showed symptoms
of post-traumatic stress disorder following experienced traumas. Looking at related studies
on compassion fatigue, it is indicated that professionals exposed to trauma victims, such as
emergency service workers, disaster workers, emergency service nurses, doctors, and social
workers, are at a high risk of compassion fatigue.
In light of the current information, it is clearer that nurses serving in emergency services
are at high risk for earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue. Especially in disaster
situations like earthquakes, exposure to such conditions reaches its peak, significantly
increasing this risk. It has been shown that nurses experiencing psychological health
problems may have a decrease in care quality and an increased likelihood of making medical
errors. Therefore, determining the level of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue symptoms
among nurses exposed to the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, identifying the
relationship between these two conditions, and determining their long-term effects will make
significant contributions to the effective and efficient implementation of rehabilitation
efforts. Given the limited number of studies examining post-traumatic stress disorder and
compassion fatigue issues among emergency service nurses, this study is expected to make a
significant contribution by identifying the level of earthquake trauma and compassion fatigue
among nurses who experienced the 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and determining the
relationship between them. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of earthquake
trauma on compassion fatigue among nurses working in emergency services following the 6
February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
The following hypotheses will be tested within the scope of the research.