Torture survivors’ experiences of receiving surgical treatment indicating re- traumatization

Schippert, Ana Carla S. P.; Dahl-Michelsen, Tone; Grov, Ellen Karine; Sparboe-Nilsen, Bente; Silvola, Juha; Bjørnnes, Ann Kristin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0287994

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 82 publications

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“…Are aware that medical procedures can retraumatize some refugees, and MH support may be required. For example, torture survivors' experiences of receiving surgical treatment may be indicative of re-traumatization ( 19 ).…”

Section: Recommendations For Health Communication and Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refugees from countries with complex political contexts: politically-informed approach to health and mental health services

Cherepanov

2023

Front. Public Health

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Section: Recommendations For Health Communication and Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refugees from countries with complex political contexts: politically-informed approach to health and mental health services

Cherepanov

2023

Front. Public Health

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General practitioners’ knowledge and practice in consultations with (potential) torture victims: a qualitative pilot study from Norway

Anpalagan,

Fesseha,

Bringedal Houge

2024

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

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Background According to the UN Committee Against Torture, all state parties to the Torture Convention have a responsibility to meet the rehabilitation needs of torture victims who have sought asylum within their borders. General practitioners (GPs) can play a crucial role in identifying torture victims and securing rehabilitation when needed. There is a pressing knowledge gap on the knowledge and practices of GPs vis-à-vis potentially tortured patients, and an urgent need for research that investigates GPs’ practices of identification, referral, and rehabilitation – in Norway and beyond. This article presents an exploratory qualitative pilot study that investigates the experiences of GPs in Oslo vis-à-vis this patient group. Methods Semi-structured interviews with five experienced GPs in the greater Oslo area. Interview data was analyzed through thematic analysis and discussed within a theoretical framework seeing GPs as street-level bureaucrats. Results Issues that emerged in the pilot involve a consistent professional confidence and a particular concern for victims of sexual violence and sexualized torture. The pilot also found a troubling commonsensical reasoning about identification in the asylum process. The GPs asked for the re-establishment of specialist rehabilitation centers for refugees and torture victims to consult in case of need. Alas, the study also confirmed that GPs are a difficult profession to recruit for research. Conclusions This study indicates that GPs are important actors in terms of identifying torture victims after resettlement, but that there are shortcomings in their training and knowledge, in the overall organization of the healthcare system, and in specialized healthcare, that limit prospects for rehabilitation.

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Hidden scars: the persistent multifaceted health and psychosocial consequences for Syrian torture survivors

Rizkalla,

Alsamman,

Bakr

et al. 2024

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: The impact on the physical and mental health of those who survived torture and their close circles in the Syrian regime’s detention facilities remains under-studied. Objective: This qualitative study explored Syrian refugees’ narrations of captivity and torture, and the consequences of such extreme traumatic events on their physical and psychosocial health. Method: Thirteen audio-recorded interviews were conducted in Arabic with Syrian refugees. Study participants were at least 19 years of age, resided in diverse urban areas of Jordan, had experienced captivity and torture in Syrian detention facilities, and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Participation was anonymous, only oral consent was required, and no incentives were provided to participants. Interviews were transcribed and translated into English by a team of researchers, followed by analysis of repetitive themes according to the narrative paradigm. Results: Analysis of interviews elicited three major themes: extreme traumatic experiences of torture, and its physical and psychosocial health consequences. The first major theme was divided into two sub-themes: torture experienced by the participants themselves, and torture experienced by participants’ close circles. The second major theme, pertaining to physical health, was divided into two sub-themes: acute and chronic health sequelae. The third major theme, related to psychosocial health, was divided into four sub-themes: mental health symptomatology, impacts on professional life, impacts on interpersonal relationships, and social consequences. Conclusions: Torture experiences of Syrian refugees had adverse consequences for the physical and psychosocial health, functioning, and the overall well-being of survivors and their close circles. Interventions may seek to improve both the acute and chronic health consequences, as well as the mental health symptoms and associated impacts on livelihood, professional, and relationship dynamics. They should span clinical, legal, and advocacy spheres, given that a holistic approach may contribute immensely to survivors’ healing process.

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Torture survivors’ experiences of receiving surgical treatment indicating re- traumatization

Cited by 4 publications

References 82 publications

Refugees from countries with complex political contexts: politically-informed approach to health and mental health services

Refugees from countries with complex political contexts: politically-informed approach to health and mental health services

General practitioners’ knowledge and practice in consultations with (potential) torture victims: a qualitative pilot study from Norway

Hidden scars: the persistent multifaceted health and psychosocial consequences for Syrian torture survivors

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