A Scoping Review of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Nurses Working in the Emergency Department or Trauma Care Settings

Abstract

Aim: To synthesise recent literature related to secondary traumatic stress in nurses, specifically working in emergency and trauma care.

Design: A scoping review.

Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA for Scoping Reviews were used.

Data sources: The literature search was conducted in November 2023 using PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL.

Results: The selected papers were published between 2009 and 2023, with a significant portion adopting Figley's definition of secondary traumatic stress: the consequence of witnessing other people's abnormal distressing events. Eight papers conceptualised secondary traumatic stress as a separate concept from compassion fatigue and four treated secondary traumatic stress as a subcomponent of compassion fatigue. Factors associated with secondary traumatic stress were categorised into personal, occupational and symptomatic factors. Specifically, age, gender, years of experience and work shift were the most frequently mentioned factors.

Conclusion: Many nurses experience secondary traumatic stress when working in emergency departments or traumatic care settings. However, more research is required to establish a consistent conceptualisation, operationalisation and impacts of risk factors. Further research should be conducted that considers job-related and individual factors of secondary traumatic stress. In addition, it is necessary to develop psychological and occupational nursing interventions to help nurses at high risk for secondary traumatic stress.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care: This review emphasises the significance of early detection and treatment for nurses with a high risk of occupational distress by synthesising articles addressing secondary traumatic stress-associated factors.

Impact: An understanding of secondary traumatic stress is critical to protect nurses working in trauma care settings alongside emergency departments. Based on our study findings, evidence-based assessments of high-risk groups should be conducted, considering personal, occupational and symptomatic factors. In addition, secondary traumatic stress could be a multilevel phenomenon requiring both individual and institutional support.

Reporting method: PRISMA-ScR was used in this scoping review.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.