Psychiatric Consultation With Medical Evacuees of Hurricane Katrina

Leigh C. Bishop, MD, MA; John Thornby, PhD

ABSTRACT:

Objective.—To study the scope of clinical activities and the postoperational attitudes of mental health professionals responding emergently to a mass urban evacuation.

Methods.—Eleven mental health care providers participating in a reception team for medical evacuees after Hurricane Katrina were asked to complete a survey seeking data regarding cases encountered, psychopharmacologic interventions, and mental health support for evacuated medical personnel. Participants rated their levels of agreement with statements characterizing various aspects of the clinical experience.

Results.—Nine of 11 providers returned surveys, for a response rate of 82%. Among 35 evacuees requiring immediate psychiatric consultation, acute stress disorder and dementia, equally represented among these cases, accounted for half the diagnoses. Medication interventions were relatively uncommon. Consultants provided mental health support to 14 evacuated medical professionals. Although somewhat uncertain about their role, psychiatric consultants strongly agreed that they would be willing to serve in future disaster operations of this type.

Conclusions.—In major disasters, psychiatric consultants are likely to play a critical role in providing emergency mental health services for both medical evacuees and evacuated medical professionals.