EXCERPT FROM HEALING THE HURT: A GUIDE FOR DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR TORTURE SURVIVORS, MEDICAL SERVICES, CHAPTER 5
This chapter is a resource for physicians and nurses working with or planning services for torture survivors. Preceding chapters outline the purpose of torture and common torture methods.This chapter reviews the long-term effects of torture and describes roles and responsibilities for physicians, psychiatrists, and nurses who are helping torture survivors reduce trauma symptoms and rebuild their lives in the United States. These roles and responsibilities include education, documentation, assessment, treatment, referral, research, and advocacy.
While detailed discussion of specific treatment modalities are beyond the scope of this chapter, it will introduce areas deserving further exploration by health care providers. These topics include cultural competence, working with interpreters, use of medications, and improving access to care.
In addition to direct treatment approaches, physicians and psychiatrists are encouraged to integrate preventive components into their organization's programmatic strategies. Examples of such strategies are discussed in Chapter 8. Finally, this chapter describes resources and training opportunities for physicians and nurses interested in conducting medical and psychological forensic evaluations on asylum seekers who have been tortured.
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Helping Refugee Trauma Survivors in the Primary Care Setting
Written for primary health care providers who may be treating refugees or other survivors of war trauma and torture. Primary care physicians and providers often must identify and educate survivors before encouraging them to seek mental health services, if appropriate. The manual includes assessment questions for health care providers to ask patients and facilitate the treatment process.
Download the complete manual (PDF)
Download a bibliography of medical related resources (PDF)
Download a bibliography of nursing related resouces (PDF)
Medical Links
American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/
The American Medical Association is a national organization for physicians. It is the largest physician's group.
Doctors for Global Health
http://www.dghonline.org
Doctors for Global Health works to address issues of human rights, health, education and art throughout the world. It started in 1995 by a network of volunteers to accompany communities to fulfill their most immediate health needs. Members consist of various health professionals, as well as non-health care affiliated persons (e.g., artists, teachers, attorneys, students, and others).
Doctors of the World
http://www.doctorsoftheworld.org
Doctors of the World is the autonomous U.S. affiliate of the French medical relief organization, Médecins du Monde, founded by Bernard Kouchner in 1980. The organization is part of an international network of twelve Doctors of the World/Médecins du Monde delegations in Europe and the Americas, whose joint aim is to provide medical assistance to the world's most vulnerable populations.
EthnoMed
http://www.ethnomed.org
Information about cultural beliefs, medical issues and other related issues pertinent to the health care of specific immigrant and cultural groups, many of whom are refugees fleeing war-torn parts of the world is available through this Web site. Medical information is available in multiple languages. Local community resources for immigrants and refugees living in the Seattle, Washington area are accessible through this website.
National Center for PostTraumatic Stress Disorder http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp
The NationalCenter for PTSD (NCPTSD) aims to advance the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. Veterans through research, education and training on PTSD and stress-related disorders.
Office of Global Health Affairs
http://www.globalhealth.gov/index.html
The Office of Global Health Affairs, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, helps to promote the global partnerships and strategies that benefit the health and well-being of people living in the U.S. They coordinate refugee health policies across various governmental departments. Their Web site offers access to data global health data and country specific health-related information.
Physicians for Human Rights
http://www.phrusa.org
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is an organization of health professionals, scientists and concerned citizens using the medical and forensic sciences to investigate and prevent violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. They offer access to order publications related to the evaluation and treatment of torture survivors. They offer training materials relevant for health professionals who perform medical evaluations of asylum seekers.
PubMed
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/
PubMed Central offers an accessible database of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. It is developed and managed through the National Institute of Health.
Unrecognized Torture Affects the Health of Refugees
http://www.mmaonline.net/publications/MNMed2002/May/0205.htm
Minnesota Medicine is a monthly publication by the Minnesota Medical Associations. This article is authored by current and former medical staff from the Center for Victims of Torture, including: Holtan, Antolak, Johnson, Ide, Jaranson, and Ta.
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/en/
The World Health Organization is a division of the United Nations whose primary goal is the attainment of highest level of health for all persons. The WHO is governed by the 192 Member States of the World Health Assembly. Through their Web site visitors can access country-specific health information.
The World Medical Association
http://www.wma.net
The World Medical Association is an international organization of physicians who work to promote the highest international standards of medical education, ethics, and health care for people throughout the world.
The World Psychiatric Association (WPA)
http://www.wpanet.org
The World Psychiatric Association was organized in 1950, with the purpose of the advancement of psychiatry and the promotion of mental health throughout the world. They publish World Psychiatry, the official journal of the World Psychiatric Association.
Nursing Links
American Nurses Association
http://www.nursingworld.org
The American Nurses Association Web site offers access to the American Nurses Association (ANA) position statements on ethics and human rights
The International Council of Nurses (ICN)
http://www.icn.ch/
The International Council of Nurses is an international federation of national nurses associations representing over 120 countries. They address global health policies related to the providing quality nursing care for all. They offer position papers on issues related to health and human rights.
Nursing Center
http://www.nursingcenter.com
The nursing offers access to articles on nursing care and torture survivors located on this Web site.
