The crash of Continental 1713: the impact on hospital-based personnel

Psychological morbidity is a common finding in rescue personnel following a disaster. However, no serious attention has been given to the possibility that hospital-based personnel are also at risk. Therefore, 12 to 16 months after the crash of Continental 1713, 15 subjects who had worked with crash victims and their families only while in the hospital, were given a structured interview. Eight of 15 said they developed at least one symptom in each domain of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder within 2 weeks of the crash; of the remaining 7 subjects, all endorsed at least one re-experiencing symptom. Half also reported serious disruptions at home and in their work with other patients. Thirteen subjects also experienced significant worries about flying and 4 actually changed travel plans. Subjects were still symptomatic at 12 to 18 months, though to a lesser degree. We conclude that the emotional effects of disasters on hospital-based personnel are not trivial.