Community-based psychological disaster management groups and psychosocial support to trauma victims : knowledge and awareness

• This article describes the role that media coverage plays in creating awareness of the psychosocial support available to people in Sweden who are affected by crises, accidents, and trauma. The connection between media coverage, psychosocial support and traffic accidents has not been made clear in the literature or previous research. Trauma and fatal injuries in road accidents in Sweden has decreased in recent decades. Developments in China and the European countries shows that many people are killed on the roads and the resulting trauma would be significant for relatives and families who are affected. Therefore, it is important that those affected can get the support needed and requested.  The importance of insurance and insurance companies in China has been desribed by Dellien (Dellien, 2011). In Sweden the municipal authorities operate POSOM-groups that provide psychological and social care in the event of major community crisis. However, knowledge and awareness of social support for trauma victims is also very important for insurance companies in Sweden. The economic and social costs of long-term consequences is very important to prevent in society. A Swedish study show that a system called “pay-as-you-speed” (PAYS) could save lives and create at safer road transport system (Stigson et al, 2014). This article describes how team leaders in the POSOM-groups experience accessibility, communication and interactions with the media. The article focuses on how to increase awareness of emergency crisis support for one of today's major public health problems - traffic accidents in the community.In China, there is a growing demand for knowledge and skills in providing psychosocial support in the context of crisis and trauma (Cuiling, 2010). Traffic injuries in China has been highlighted in several studies in recent years (Wu and Cheung, 2006; Hu et al., 2008; Wu et al., 2008; Zhao, 2009, Alcorn, 2011; Yuan et al., 2012). Both China and Sweden have a great deal of experience and knowledge about treatment for victims of major disasters and accidents (Kulling, 1994; Hagström, 1995; Kulling and Riddez, 2001; Broberg et al., 2005; Lundin and Jansson, 2007; Berg Johannesson et al., 2009; Arnberg et al., 2012). In China several studies have provided insights on major disasters such as earthquakes and their consequences for the inhabitants (Cuiling, 2010; Fan et al., 2011; Ma et al., 2011; Ya-Hong et al., 2012).The consequences of traffic accidents can create to significant social and economic burdens in China and Europe (Berg et al., 2005; Tierens et al., 2012). In light of the long-term social, psychological and economic consequences of crises, trauma, and accidents in the community, there are several good reasons to try to reduce the damage and costs for individuals, insurance company and society.China is one of the countries most affected by fatal and serious injuries as a result of road accidents. In Europe more than 1.3 million traffic accidents occur annually, resulting in approximately 43,000 deaths 1.7 million people receiving injuries (European Commission, 2013).  In China, 200,619,351 people were killed in traffic accidents during the period 2000–2005 while 2,972,229 people were injured. In the same period, 3183 people were killed in traffic accidents in Sweden, while 150,000 people were injured in traffic accidents. During the period 2000–2010, 1,434,194 people were killed in road traffic accidents in China and Europe. The death rates has declined in recent years but still remains at a high level. In Sweden, the death rate of is the same as it was in 1940 (Central Statistical Office, 2011).  In Table 1 a total of 17 randomly selected accidents and disasters in both countries are presented. In these accidents and disasters a total of 3761 people have been killed and 996 injured.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Community-based disaster management

China

Sweden

trauma

trauma victims

Surgery

kirurgi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)