Establishing and running a trauma and dissociation unit: a contemporary experience.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functioning of a trauma and dissociation unit that has run for the past 8 years in a private hospital, with particular regard to operating philosophy, operating parameters, challenges encountered, research and educational initiatives, and the applicability of the treatment model to other settings.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the challenges associated with significant difficulties in the corporate management of a private health-care system, it has been possible to operate an inpatient and day hospital programme tailored to the needs of patients in the dissociative spectrum, and the lessons learnt from this experience are valid considerations in the future planning of mental health services overall.
Middleton
Warwick
W
The Cannan Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. warmid@tpg.com.au
Higson
David
D
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003379:Countertransference; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006754:Hospital Restructuring / Q000458:organization & administration; D006760:Hospitalization; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011793:Queensland; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014167:Transference, Psychology