Rehabilitating Torture Survivors - Dignity - Danish Institute Against ...

WORKSHOP 2: Outcome Studies in TOV Survivors(Wednesday Dec 3 Afternoon)The triple burden of trauma uprooting and settlement. A non-clinicallongitudinal study of health and psychosocial problems among refugeesin Norway. Implication of research for clinical work and health policy inthe treatment of traumatized refugees.Invited lecturerBirgit Lie, MD PhDSørlandet sykehus, Kristiansand, NorwayRefugees arriving in exile have different traumatic preflight experiences. Healthrelated consequences of trauma and migration and the need for targeted healthcare were focus of the study. To provide sufficient services represents moral,ethical and professional challenges for Norwegian healthcare. Increased forcedmigration has become part of daily life worldwide. Long term studies of effectsof trauma on mental health and more knowledge and clinical skills are neededin treatment of consequences of organized violence.The aim of the referred study was to investigate changes in psychologicalsymptoms and general health conditions over time. In addition the influence ofrisk factors (torture, pre- and post-flight traumatic events and demographicstatus) on psychological symptoms and to explore potential influence of psychosocialfactors on psychological healthThe project was a 3 year follow-up community study of non clinical group ofrefugees. Fully structured interviews performed by trained local health workerswith translators. The study was an action research with results used in localplanning and with an educational aspect using local health workers as interviewers.There was an epidemiological research aspect with the mapping ofsituation among refugees and a health policy aspect as part of the study methodswere implemented in healthservice guidelines.Implication of research on health policy guidelines and clinical work with refugeeswill be discussed in the presentation. New methods in trauma-treatmentwill be discussed where the starting point is TOV survivors but point towardsthe general clinical approach towards all traumatised patients in a psychiatricclinic.ReferencesLie B., The psychological and social situation of repatriated and exiled refugees:a longitudinal, comparative study. Scand J Public Health. 2004;32(3):179-87.Lie B., A 3-year follow-up study of psychosocial functioning and general symptomsin settled refugees. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2002 Dec;106(6):415-25.15