Crompton, D., Shakespeare-Finch, J., FitzGerald, G., Kohleis, P., & Young, R.2022-11-082022-11-082022Crompton, D., Shakespeare-Finch, J., FitzGerald, G., Kohleis, P., & Young, R. (2022). Mental health response to disasters: is there a role for a primary care-based clinician?. Prehospital and disaster medicine, 37(5), 706-711.https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/D484191A6734B0C46B4A9B5DBBB15222/S1049023X22001194a.pdf/mental_health_response_to_disasters_is_there_a_role_for_a_primary_carebased_clinician.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/5617Introduction: Following natural disasters, rural general practitioners (GPs) are expected to undertake several roles, including identifying those experiencing psychological distress and providing evidence-informed mental health care. This paper reports on a collaborative mental health program developed to support a rural GP practice (population <1,500) and a disaster response service. Methods: The program provided specialized disaster mental health care via the placement of a clinician in the GP facility. In collaboration with the GP practice, the program offered opportunistic screening using the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale (PC-PTSD) for probable PTSD as the primary measure and the Kessler 6 (K6) as a secondary measure. Those scoring higher than two on the PC-PTSD scale were referred to the mental health clinician (MHC) for further assessment and treatment. Results: Sixty screening assessments were completed. Fourteen patients (male = 3; female = 11) scored higher than two on the PC-PTSD. The referred group PC-PTSD mean score was 3.14 and K6 mean score of 19. Those not referred had a PC-PTSD mean score = 0.72 and K6 mean score = 7.30. The treatment and non-treatment groups differed significantly (PC-PTSD: P <.00001 and K6: P <.00001). A prior history of trauma exposure was notable in the intervention group. Eight reported a history of domestic violence, seven histories of sexual abuse, five childhood sexual abuse, and eight intimate partner violence (IPV). Conclusion: A post-disaster integrated GP and mental health program in a rural community can assist in identifying individuals experiencing post-disaster psychological distress using opportunistic psychological screening. The findings indicate that collaborative mental health programs may effectively support rural communities post-disaster.enInternational ResourcesAustraliadisastermental healthresponserural areascommunityArticle