ABSTRACT
Disaster planning has traditionally focused on the concrete needs of the impacted
population. This article looks at the impact of direct and indirect trauma exposure
as it affects healthcare providers responding to a region-wide natural disaster and
discusses trauma management via the incorporation of self-care techniques. It also
explores post-traumatic growth as a potential benefit arising from trauma exposure.
We propose that preventative and post-traumatic interventions be added to disaster
planning. We further propose that the governing bodies that oversee the training of
healthcare providers add training in post-traumatic interventions, including training
in and support of self-care interventions to prevent and/or mitigate the effects of
secondary traumatic stress. We suggest that they also provide training in Mind–Body
Medicine Skills, a promising intervention that addresses symptoms of secondary traumatic
stress and promotes post-traumatic growth.
KEY INDEXING TERMS
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
May 23,
2008
Received:
April 29,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
