Managing Primary Healthcare for Torture Survivors [1]
This webinar, from May 14, 2008, features Sarah P. Combs, formerly of the Rocky Mountain Survivors Center.
This webinar is part of the National Capacity Building (NCB) webinar series. NCB is a project of the Center for Victims of Torture.
Date:
Sarah Combs developed this webinar for primary healthcare workers that work with survivors of torture on a regular basis. The first objective is to perform a health assessment prior to referral to service providers. Areas of interest could be medically neglected chronic illness, undiagnosed chronic illness, infectious diseases (including SDIs), women’s/men’s & Children’s, and preventative care vaccines.
The second objective describes the components of a referral to a provider. Importance is placed on clarity in: the information about the provider (for the client), information about the client (for provider), and information about the person making the referral (for the provider).
The take home messages are to educate your clients about what is expected of them and what to expect from health care services. Second, do not make assumptions about what the providers will know or understand about survivors of torture. Finally, to provide complete, unabbreviated information to ALL parties (client/provider).
Note:
Documents referenced in this presentation are attached.
Additional Resources:
Evaluation and Treatment of Survivors of Torture and Refugee Trauma, http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/702506_4 [2]
The ISTSS/Rand Guidelines on Mental Health Training of Primary Healthcare Providers for Trauma-Exposed Populations in Conflict-Affected Countries, http://www.survivorsoftorture.org/files/pdf/eisenman-weine-green-etal2006.pdf [3]
