Nicola Holme1, Catherine Harrison1, Paul Newland2, Ben N J Shaw3. 1. Leeds Neonatal Service, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK. 2. Biochemistry Department, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK. 3. NICU, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
Abstract
Objectives: To determine whether there is a significant stress response to the Newborn Life Support airway test (NLSAT) among healthcare professionals in the UK. Design: Quantitative study measuring both stress and anxiety of candidates on Newborn Life Support (NLS) courses measuring salivary cortisol levels along with validated anxiety questionnaires (State Trait Anxiety Inventory). Setting: UK NLS course centres. Participants: 80 healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors and midwives) on NLS courses. Interventions: Stress levels measured (cortisol swabs and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)) at baseline, immediately before and 20 min after starting the NLSAT. Results: Cortisol measurements failed to detect any significant rise in stress levels as a result of the NLSAT. Significant anxiety was induced by the NLSAT based on STAI scores. STAI scores rose significantly in all professionals from baseline to post-NLSAT, with the greatest change detected for midwives (+11.82 (SD 7.64, p<0.001)) compared with nurses (+8.86 (SD 12.1, p<0.001)) and doctors (+7.96 (SD 2.9.69, p<0.001)). Experience had no impact on stress levels. Conclusions: Anxiety levels induced by the NLSAT are significant and should be considered when instructing and developing the NLS course. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
Objectives: To determine whether there is a significant stress response to the Newborn Life Support airway test (NLSAT) among healthcare professionals in the UK. Design: Quantitative study measuring both stress and anxiety of candidates on Newborn Life Support (NLS) courses measuring salivary cortisol levels along with validated anxiety questionnaires (State Trait Anxiety Inventory). Setting: UK NLS course centres. Participants: 80 healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors and midwives) on NLS courses. Interventions: Stress levels measured (cortisol swabs and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)) at baseline, immediately before and 20 min after starting the NLSAT. Results: Cortisol measurements failed to detect any significant rise in stress levels as a result of the NLSAT. Significant anxiety was induced by the NLSAT based on STAI scores. STAI scores rose significantly in all professionals from baseline to post-NLSAT, with the greatest change detected for midwives (+11.82 (SD 7.64, p<0.001)) compared with nurses (+8.86 (SD 12.1, p<0.001)) and doctors (+7.96 (SD 2.9.69, p<0.001)). Experience had no impact on stress levels. Conclusions: Anxiety levels induced by the NLSAT are significant and should be considered when instructing and developing the NLS course. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
Authors: Vicki R Leblanc; Cheryl Regehr; Walter Tavares; Aristathemos K Scott; Russell Macdonald; Kevin King Journal: Prehosp Disaster Med Date: 2012-07-25 Impact factor: 2.040