Published: 17 July 2024
This paper provides a framework for the prevention, identification and treatment of post-traumatic stress symptoms in the maternity and gynaecology workforce.
Staff within women’s health services are commonly exposed to psychologically traumatic events at work. In most cases, the healthcare worker will process these events, sometimes with the support of their wider community. However, this is not always the case and exposure to traumatic events can trigger post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), which can decline into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if left unaddressed.
Affected healthcare professionals have lower job satisfaction, more emotional exhaustion and are more likely to consider changing their place of work, or leaving the profession entirely. It is now estimated that around 12% of obstetrics and gynaecology doctors leave the profession in the UK within 3 years of completing training, the highest level of any medical specialty. It is clear that reported levels of PTSD symptoms are highly detrimental for individuals, for patient care and more broadly at organisational and specialty level.
Recognising the vulnerability of staff within maternity and gynaecology services to PTSD, and knowledge of events that are more likely to cause PTSD symptoms can be helpful to target systems of support. More importantly, it informs this framework to prevent and provide early intervention for work-related PTSS in all staff members, which, in turn, should improve the safety and experience of women and families in their care.
Version history
This is the first edition of this guidance.
The review process will commence in 2027, unless otherwise indicated.
Developers’ declarations of interests
Available on request.