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Traumatic events in a general practice population: the patient's perspective
Saskia S L Mol1, Geert-Jan Dinant, Pauline A P Vilters-van Montfort
1Department of General Practice, Maastricht University, Post Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. saskia.mol@hag.unimaas.nl
Family Practice
|July 12, 2002
Summary
Patients value their General Practitioner's (GP) support after traumatic events like accidents or abuse. While many cope independently, GPs are crucial for those seeking help, offering essential sympathy and care.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Trauma Care
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Violent events, including accidents, abuse, and disasters, significantly impact individuals.
- Understanding the patient's perspective on healthcare following such events is crucial for effective support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore patient perspectives on General Practitioner (GP) care after experiencing violent events.
- To define the perceived role and appreciated aspects of GP care in post-trauma recovery.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 2997 adult patients from 32 General Practices.
- The study analyzed responses from 50% of the surveyed patient population.
Main Results:
- 42% of respondents reported experiencing one or more traumatic events.
- 28% of victims desired professional help, with over half seeking it from their GP, valuing sympathy, supportive conversations, and physical care.
- High overall satisfaction was reported, particularly appreciating GP empathy, support, and proactive care.
Conclusions:
- Most individuals cope with traumatic events effectively without professional intervention.
- General Practitioners (GPs) play a vital role for patients seeking help after trauma.
- Improving GP care involves emphasizing their role, ensuring confidentiality, and encouraging proactive, attentive support and follow-up.