The effects of traumatic exposure on clinical and non clinical staff in oncology settings

This thesis systematically examined the published evidence for occupational traumatisation in intrinsically based health care professionals. This reveals sigificant PTSD prevalence in this group of professionals, both when compared to general population norms and those reported for emergency professionals. Therefore the primary research attempted to extend these conclusions about professional posttraumatic reactions in an oncology context. In light of the developing literature it also considered the potential positive effects of traumatic exposure. The cross sectional study (N=149) reported equivalent level of negative posttraumatic outcomes as studies of other professionals. In addition, positive effects were also reported at higher levels than reported in other professionals. Only received social support accounted for variance in either positive or negative effects. However these are tentative conclusions given the methodologies used.