Emergency Mental Health After a Suicide Bombing
(Lieutenant Colonel David M. Benedek, MC, USA)

This educational activity provides information on (1) groups at risk for traumatic stress responses (including distress reactions and mental disorders in the aftermath of a suicide bombing) and the expectations for recovery, change, and growth for those directly and indirectly exposed to a suicide bombing; (2) common psychological sequelae to those exposed to the direct and indirect effects of a suicide bombing; (3) recommended early psychological interventions for suicide bombing victims and their families and friends; and (4) controversy regarding debriefing for recent victims of trauma.

Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Please note that the course is accredited only for physicians (MD, DO, or equivalent). All other participants receive a certificate of completion.

© 2006-2007 Rush University Medical Center

Target Audience This audio/slide CME activity is intended for clinicians in internal medicine, family medicine, and emergency medicine, as well as mental health care professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, who will provide evaluation and care in the aftermath of a terrorist attack or other public health disaster. Release Date November 30, 2006 Expiration Date November 30, 2007 Estimated Completion Time 1 hour Term of Offering This activity has a release date of November 30, 2006, and is valid for 1 year. Requests for credit must be received no later than November 30, 2007. Upon successful completion of the course test, participants will receive further instruction regarding instantaneous online receipt of credit. For inquiries regarding technical issues with CME/CE or registration, email eMedicine at CME/CE Support. Please direct CME content–related questions to RUMC at (312) 942-7119 or cme_info@rush.edu.

Author David M. Benedek, MD Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Corps, US Army Associate Professor and Assistant Chair Department of Psychiatry Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda, Maryland Course Directors Stephanie R. Black, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine Section of Infectious Disease Department of Internal Medicine Rush University Medical Center Daniel Levin, MD Assistant Professor General Psychiatry Residency Director Department of Psychiatry Rush University Medical Center

Statement of Need

Terrorism and disasters are the lead stories of the day, yet the health care community lacks information upon which to base critical evaluation and treatment decisions following catastrophic events.

Activity Purpose

This course is intended to provide innovative learning opportunities for health care professionals to solve issues related to terrorism or other public health calamities.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to

• describe the groups of people at risk for traumatic stress response, including distress reactions and mental disorders in the aftermath of a suicide bombing;
  
  
• discuss the common psychological sequelae for those exposed to the direct and indirect effects of a suicide bombing;
  
  
• describe the expectations for recovery, change, and growth for those directly and indirectly exposed to a suicide bombing;
  
  
• list the recommended early psychological interventions for suicide bombing victims and their families and friends; and
  
  
• explain the controversy regarding debriefing for recent victims of trauma.

Rush University Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

Rush University Medical Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Rush University Medical Center Disclosures

It is the policy of the Rush University Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education to ensure that its CME activities are independent, free of commercial bias, and beyond the control of persons or organizations with an economic interest in influencing the content of CME. Everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest (including but not limited to pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or other corporations whose products or services are related to the subject matter of the presentation topic) within the preceding 12 months. If there are relationships that create a conflict of interest, these must be resolved by the CME course director in consultation with the Office of Continuing Medical Education prior to the participation of the faculty member in the development or presentation of course content.

David M. Benedek, MD
Sources of Funding for Research: None
Consulting Agreements: None
Speakers Bureau/Honorarium Agreements: None
Financial Interests/Stock Ownership: None
Discussion of Off-label, Investigational, or Experimental Drug Use: None

Stephanie R. Black, MD

Sources of Funding for Research: None
Consulting Agreements: None
Speakers Bureau/Honorarium Agreements: None
Financial Interests/Stock Ownership: None
Discussion of Off-label, Investigational, or Experimental Drug Use: None

Daniel Levin, MD

Sources of Funding for Research: None
Consulting Agreements: None
Speakers Bureau/Honorarium Agreements: None
Financial Interests/Stock Ownership: None
Discussion of Off-label, Investigational, or Experimental Drug Use: None

Instructions to Participants

Course participants must view the slide presentations and complete both a test and a course evaluation to receive continuing medical education credit. No fees are charged to participate in the program or to receive the certificate. Full instructions are available on the user instructions page.

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed herein are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the sponsors, commercial supporters, or publisher. Please review complete prescribing information of specific drugs or combinations of drugs, including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects, before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.

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