Citation

Bisson JI, Tavakoly B, Witteveen AB, Ajduković D, Jehel L, Johansen VJ, Nordanger D, Orengo Garcia F, Punamaki RL, Schnyder U, Sezgin AU, Wittmann L, Olff M. Br. J. Psychiatry 2010; 196(1): 69-74.

Affiliation

Department of Psychological Medicine and Neurology, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK. bissonji@cf.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.109.066266

PMID

20044665

Abstract

BACKGROUND: How best to plan and provide psychosocial care following disasters remains keenly debated. AIMS: To develop evidence-informed post-disaster psychosocial management guidelines. METHOD: A three-round web-based Delphi process was conducted. One hundred and six experts rated the importance of statements generated from existing evidence using a one to nine scale. Participants reassessed their original scores in the light of others' responses in the subsequent rounds. RESULTS: A total of 80 (72%) of 111 statements achieved consensus for inclusion. The statement 'all responses should provide access to pharmacological assessment and management' did not achieve consensus. The final guidelines recommend that every area has a multi-agency psychosocial care planning group, that responses provide general support, access to social, physical and psychological support and that specific mental health interventions are only provided if indicated by a comprehensive assessment. Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended for acute stress disorder or acute post-traumatic stress disorder, with other treatments with an evidence base for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder being made available if trauma-focused CBT is not tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The Delphi process allowed a consensus to be achieved in an area where there are limitations to the current evidence.

Language: en