The 2023 Terror Attack on Southern Israel: Well-Being and Burnout Among Health Care Personnel Treating Traumatized Evacuees

Ann Fam Med. 2024 Nov 25;22(6):518-521. doi: 10.1370/afm.3171.

Abstract

This study investigates the well-being, resilience, and burnout of health care personnel treating evacuees with severe trauma following a major terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Longitudinal trends and factors influencing personnel's emotional states are explored. Questionnaires from 129 health care personnel recruited from primary care clinics, including those serving evacuees exclusively, revealed significant correlations of self-efficacy and well-being with gender and religiosity, impacting burnout levels. Professional experience and exposure to traumatized evacuees were also linked to well-being. This research addresses a crucial gap in understanding personnel's emotional resilience and guiding interventions to enhance personnel well-being and improve patient care quality.Annals Early Access article.

Keywords: burnout, professional; evacuees; health personnel; mental health; patients; resilience; trauma and stress-related disorders; well-being.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burnout, Professional* / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Personnel* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Israel
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Resilience, Psychological
  • Self Efficacy
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Terrorism* / psychology