PTSD among Bosnian refugees: A survey of providers' knowledge, attitudes and service patterns

The objective of this study was to investigate providers' knowledge, attitu des and service provision patterns for Bosnian refugees with PTSD and to co nsider the overall implications for trauma-related mental health services. A survey instrument was developed and administered to 30 randomly selected service providers working with Bosnian refugees in Chicago. This sample inc ludes primary medical care providers (n = 7), community social service prov iders (n = 12), and mental health service providers (n = 11). Results showe d that knowledge about PTSD is highest in mental health service providers, as is amount of previous training and education about PTSD. Less than half of all providers systematically assess for PTSD, and standardized instrumen ts for PTSD are rarely used. The top three overall recommendations for serv ices were ranked as: 1. Psychotherapy; 2. No intervention; 3. Psychiatric e valuation. In general, less than half of providers hold attitudes toward re fugees as suffering from illnesses or mental disorders, or that "something" is wrong with them. Likewise, only half of the providers reported providin g education to refugees and their families about the possible mental health consequences of trauma. In conclusion, assessment, intervention and educat ional activities of providers are not consistent with literature documentin g that PTSD is highly prevalent in refugee populations. New training progra ms, model development, and research initiatives are needed to address the n eeds of refugees.