The experience of psychiatric residents with disaster support: a descriptive report

This study was designed to explore the experiences and reactions of psychiatric residents who provided support to victims at the Oklahoma City bombing site. Participants were seven residents who were surveyed eight months following the disaster. Results describe respondents' perceptions of stress and support factors at the time of participation as well as post-disaster symptoms. In the aftermath, only one respondent reported stress symptoms suggestive of a psychiatric diagnosis. Respondents reported a decrease in symptoms one month after the disaster. The majority acknowledged that they would participate in disaster relief in the future. These data confirm the importance of proper preparation, support, and debriefing for medical personnel attending a disaster as well as the probability that symptomatic reactions will be time-limited for most individuals.