Psychiatry and terrorism: the profession's role in disaster response planning.
While America wages the "war" on terrorism and endeavors to protect the physical safety of its citizens, it is imperative to plan for the population's mental health needs in future terrorist/disaster scenarios. The importance of psychiatry's potential role in preparing the community for the psychological impact of terrorism is underscored against the historical backdrop of the field being "carved out" from the organization, delivery, and financing of health services in our society. A practical framework is offered for designing an organization's mental health disaster plan, including recommendations for strategic infrastructure and tactical response capabilities. Finally, the unique features of clinical practice with disaster victims are noted, including intra-clinician conflicts between professional/community interests and personal/family obligations during acute disaster events.
McCabe
O Lee
OL
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. lmccabe@jhmi.edu
Everly
George S
GS
Siegel
Everett R
ER
Heitt
Michael C
MC
Kaminsky
Michael J
MJ
D004189:Disaster Planning; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D024382:Professional Role; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011640:Public Policy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States