Question

Discuss the psychological impact of disasters. How would you, as the primary healthcare provider, care for your patients’ psychological needs? What needs do you anticipate? What screenings should be used? How can you effectively manage transitions, grief, and stress?

Answer 1

Disaster is a sudden calamity which causes great damage including loss of life ,property etc .

After the disaster ,people are still in shock ,they have sudden psychological changes due to the unexpected calamity . They have fear ,stress ,anxiety regarding disaster which doubles when they come to know that they lose some one near to them ,or they lose their property etc.

Disaster management is an effective tool to cope the aftereffect and also teaches us how to be prepared for such a calamity.

It has four stages :-

- preparedness = which is done prior to disaster . Example - preparedness plans , training ,awareness , exercises, warning system

- response = activities during g a disaster . Example - public warning system , emergency operations , search and rescue

- recovery = post disaster activities . Example - claims ,medical support system , counselling etc

- mitigation = activities that reduce the effects of disaster. Example - public education etc.

As apart of recovery and mitigation people who had a psychological impact of disaster , should be provided counselling , rehabilitation facilities and distress programs to recover from the after effects of disaster . Involvement of family member and encouraging to verbalise the concerns will ensure early recovery .