Mass trauma, PCPs, and benzodiazepines: Study of Oct. 7 attack

Abstract

Following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israelis, primary care physicians greatly increased their prescribing of benzodiazepines, recent research has found. Crisis management should not be done by medicating, the researchers concluded. In the aftermath of a crisis, benzodiazepines may alleviate some anxiety and panic, but clinical guidelines do not align with this as a policy. There is a need to support appropriate prescribing during mass trauma events, the researchers concluded.