TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Mental health response to disasters: is there a role for a primary care-based clinician?
JO  - Prehospital and disaster medicine
A1  - Crompton, David
A1  - Shakespeare-Finch, Jane
A1  - Fitzgerald, Gerard
A1  - Kohleis, Peter
A1  - Young, Ross
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Following natural disasters, rural general practitioners (GPs) are expected to undertake several roles, including identifying those experiencing psychological distress and providing evidence-informed mental health care. This paper reports on a collaborative mental health program developed to support a rural GP practice (population <1,500) and a disaster response service. <br><br>METHODS: The program provided specialized disaster mental health care via the placement of a clinician in the GP facility. In collaboration with the GP practice, the program offered opportunistic screening using the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale (PC-PTSD) for probable PTSD as the primary measure and the Kessler 6 (K6) as a secondary measure. Those scoring higher than two on the PC-PTSD scale were referred to the mental health clinician (MHC) for further assessment and treatment. <br><br>RESULTS: Sixty screening assessments were completed. Fourteen patients (male = 3; female = 11) scored higher than two on the PC-PTSD. The referred group PC-PTSD mean score was 3.14 and K6 mean score of 19. Those not referred had a PC-PTSD mean score = 0.72 and K6 mean score = 7.30. The treatment and non-treatment groups differed significantly (PC-PTSD: P <.00001 and K6: P <.00001). A prior history of trauma exposure was notable in the intervention group. Eight reported a history of domestic violence, seven histories of sexual abuse, five childhood sexual abuse, and eight intimate partner violence (IPV). <br><br>CONCLUSION: A post-disaster integrated GP and mental health program in a rural community can assist in identifying individuals experiencing post-disaster psychological distress using opportunistic psychological screening. The findings indicate that collaborative mental health programs may effectively support rural communities post-disaster.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1049-023X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X22001194
ID  - ref1
ER  -