Family Physician’s Guide

No-one is totally immune from experiencing the impacts of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) and often casualties, witnesses, responders and even bystanders find themselves seeking help from their family physician. Family physicians expressed a strong interest in accessing a guide that would better prepare them in supporting individuals affected by traumatic events, particularly large scale MCIs. Through funding granted by Defence Research and Development Canada, and with the support from Health Canada, the SIMTEC research team at JIBC has produced a guide, based on extensive research and peer review from professionals in family medicine, psychology and trauma counselling, to assist family physicians in providing appropriate care for their patients following an MCI.

This guide specifically addresses the mental health component of victims and witnesses in the aftermath of an MCI, and serves as a valuable resource and reference in the assessment and treatment of patients at-risk of developing Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The content of the guide is clearly organized and sectioned for quick reference, and includes:

Background information and recognition of psychosocial reactions and behavioural symptoms following an MCI
Differentiation between ASD and PTSD
Descriptions and web links to several traumatic stress assessment tools
Treatment options, including pharmacotherapy, pharmacology, psychosocial and alternative methods
Sections addressing the unique needs of children, adolescents, the elderly, Aboriginal/First Nations groups, and Emergency/Rescue workers
Links to over 30 knowledge resources, including websites, social networks and phone apps

Download the Canadian Family Physician’s Guide