Acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder among medical personnel in Judea and Samaria areas in the years 2000-2003

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the incidence of acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among medical staff members serving in Judea and Samaria during 2000-2003. Methods: The study population included 141 medics and 19 medical doctors who provided emergency medical treatment during 23 violent events. Information regarding the incidence of ASD and PTSD was abstracted from Israel Defense Forces mental health files, as was a history of previous exposures to similar events, personal acquaintance with the victims, being under fire during the event, number of victims killed and/or wounded in the event, and length of time in service. Results: One medic was affected by PTSD, whereas one medical doctor and 12 medics suffered from ASD. The number of people killed in the event was associated with ASD in medics (p = 0.0002). Conclusions: The prevalence of PTSD within the study population was very low, possibly because of post-trauma treatment and the training process for the medical staff members.