Evaluation of the psychology of earthquake victims referred to plastic surgery service after crush injury: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Following the 6 February 2023 earthquake, a significant number of people living in various urban areas suffered crush injuries while trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. A significant number of people affected by the earthquake, who were hospitalized for long periods and underwent various surgical interventions for significant injuries, including limb loss, were treated in the plastic surgery department. This study aimed to assess the psychological well-being of patients under our care after the earthquake. Methods: A total of 33 patients (15 males, 18 females) with crush injuries who were referred to our clinic and agreed to undergo psychological examination were included in the study. Our team collaborated with plastic surgeons, psychologists, and allied physicians to carry out interventions, assessments, and interviews. Demographic, injury, psychological, and social support information was collected for evaluation after hospitalization. Results: The study found that, in terms of personal factors, aggression and depression levels were significantly higher in men than in women. As for age, verbal aggression level ( Conclusions: The surgical team responsible for providing medical care to patients after an earthquake should be aware of the psychological state of the individuals they treat. Providing psychological and social support by the surgical team in the early stages after the earthquake, particularly for young patients, patients with low incomes, and those who have lost family members, may be considered a potentially beneficial component of multidisciplinary post-disaster care.