Pertinence de la prise en charge des psychotraumatismes des exilés primo-arrivants par les médecins généralistes

Abstract

Exiles have often experienced multiple traumas, and when they arrive in France, they generally find themselves in precarious social situations, often with a certain level of nomadism and significant isolation. Unfortunately, the existing mental health care services available for exiles are currently inadequate, and more resources and innovative approaches to providing care would help alleviate the pressure of demand. The presentation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in this population is often somatic, with frequent initial misdiagnoses. Through the study of three clinical vignettes, we are able to substantiate that a trained general practitioner, as the primary care physician, can readily establish a bond of trust that has often been broken, restore a sense of security, and provide support, which is at the core of trauma care for these patients who are often dehumanized and isolated, far from their supportive cultural environment. The general practitioner can screen, refer, and manage these psycho-traumas according to their competence, serving as a resource person and using a complementary approach while taking into account all the symptoms presented by the patients. Addressing PTSD in a transcultural context requires essential decentralization and comprehensive patient care to establish a therapeutic alliance necessary for quality care. This approach is increasingly being used in general medical practice. Additionally, the continuity of care over time helps prevent breaks in treatment, which can be traumatic for these patients. The treatment provided by the general practitioner will help to improve access to mental healthcare for refugees and to develop structures specialized in treating psychotrauma in migrant populations, while at the same time being innovative in patient care.