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| Wednesday, 19 July 2006: 1:00 PM-2:30 PM |
| Issues Related to the Psychological Effects of Terrorism: Findings from a Tour of the Israeli Health System |
| Learning Objective #1: Identify clinical approaches to managing the psychological needs of victims during the acute phase of a terror incident. |
| Learning Objective #2: Describe the Israeli health system's management of the effects of the stress of terrorism, including a theoretical model. |
| In June, 2004, this writer participated in a professional group that toured various sites within the Israeli health system for the purpose of identifying “best practices,” with respect to the management of post-terrorism incidents. Information was directly collected from psychiatrists, psychologists, emergency room nurses and social workers with respect to the management of the acute and chronic phases of a post-terrorism incident. A six-item conceptual model called BASIC-Ph is being utilized within the majority of health-care sites within Israel with respect to clinicians’ interventions. The model was designed to reduce stress and minimize the potential for the development of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A significant proportion of Israeli citizens, including children, suffer from symptoms associated with PTSD. Important work is being done to reduce the likelihood of the development of diagnostic PTSD in the general population through interventions in community health centers and schools. Service providers, such as emergency room personnel, police and fire personnel, bus drivers and emergency medical personnel are particularly vulnerable to the stress of terrorist incidents and the development of symptoms of PTSD.
This presentation consists of 112 Powerpoint Slides (61 text slides, 51 photo slides): 1) describing the Israeli health system’s coordination of efforts to minimize PTSD; 2) the effects of terrorism on vulnerable groups; and 3) specialized interventions being utilized in clinics, community mental health centers, drop-in centers, and a children’s hospital. |
| Organizer: | William H. Jacobowitz, MSN, MPH, EdD, RN |
| Presenter: | William H. Jacobowitz, MSN, MPH, EdD, RN |