Barriers in the care of patients who have experienced a traumatic event: the perspective of general practice

Background. Previous research has indicated that GPs encounter barriers in the care of patients who have experienced a traumatic event. Objectives. The aims of the present study were to map barriers GPs encounte r in the care of patients who experience a traumatic event and solutions fo r these barriers, and to estimate the influence of GP characteristics on th e number of barriers experienced. Methods. Telephone interviews were conducted among a sample of 500 Dutch GP s stratified by sex. Topics covered barriers in the care of victims of: acc idents, incest in the past, ongoing physical or sexual abuse of adults, and ongoing physical or sexual abuse of children. Results. The response rate was 44%. GPs are regularly confronted with patie nts who have experienced a traumatic event. GPs experience 10% barriers in care of patients who have difficulties getting over an accident, 13% in the care of incest victims, 16% in the care of adults who are physically or se xually abused, and 20% in the care of physically or sexually abused childre n. Most of the GPs recently updated their knowledge of care of victims of t raumatic events, but still the majority feel in need of additional expert t raining. Conclusion. GPs experience the greatest number of barriers in the care of c hildren who are abused. GP characteristics were not related to the number o f barriers. However, seeing more victims was related to fewer barriers. To facilitate GP care of victims of traumatic events, GP training and continui ng medical education should focus especially on skills education regarding the detection and initial treatment of traumatic events of ongoing physical or sexual abuse.