Abstract
Aims: An NHS mental health Trust developed a pathway offering EMDR to healthcare workers (HCW). This research aimed to evaluate whether EMDR was linked to improvements in PTSD and sought to understand the experiences of service users.
Method: Pre- and post- outcome measures of the IES-R, PHQ-9, GAD-7 and WASAS were evaluated. Subsequently, a feedback survey was circulated to those who had accessed the service.
Results: Analysis revealed statistically significant improvements on measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and functioning. The service was rated highly for accessibility and experience. Perceived treatment effectiveness was variable, however reliving symptoms and sickness absence reduced, and improvements made during therapy were reportedly maintained.
Conclusion: This service evaluation offers preliminary support for the use of EMDR as a useful intervention for HCW. Recommendations that may be more broadly applicable for service development, and considerations for future research are discussed.
Method: Pre- and post- outcome measures of the IES-R, PHQ-9, GAD-7 and WASAS were evaluated. Subsequently, a feedback survey was circulated to those who had accessed the service.
Results: Analysis revealed statistically significant improvements on measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and functioning. The service was rated highly for accessibility and experience. Perceived treatment effectiveness was variable, however reliving symptoms and sickness absence reduced, and improvements made during therapy were reportedly maintained.
Conclusion: This service evaluation offers preliminary support for the use of EMDR as a useful intervention for HCW. Recommendations that may be more broadly applicable for service development, and considerations for future research are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Acceptance date - Apr 2023 |
Keywords
- EMDR, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma, HCW
