Journal article

Early response to psychological trauma What GPs can do

Darryl Wade, Alexandra Howard, Susan Fletcher, John Cooper, David Forbes

AUSTRALIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN | ROYAL AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE GENERAL PRACTITIONERS | Published : 2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of psychological trauma exposure among primary care patients. General practitioners are well placed to provide appropriate support for patients coping with trauma. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines an evidence-based early response to psychological trauma. DISCUSSION: Psychological first aid is the preferred approach in providing early assistance to patients who have experienced a traumatic event. General practitioners can be guided by five empirically derived principles in their early response: promoting a sense of safety, calming, self efficacy, connectedness and hope. Structured psychological interventions, including psychological debriefing, are not r..

View full abstract