Practitioner perceptions of Skills for Psychological Recovery: a training programme for health practitioners in the aftermath of the Victorian bushfires.

Objective: Following the February 2009 Victorian bushfires, Australia's worst natural disaster, the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, in collaboration with key trauma experts, developed a three-tiered approach to psychological recovery initiatives for survivors with training specifically designed for each level. The middle level intervention, designed for delivery by allied health and primary care practitioners for survivors with ongoing mild-moderate distress, involved a protocol still in draft form called Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR). SPR was developed by the US National Center for PTSD and US National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Post-traumatic stress disorder--best practice GP guidelines.

Background: Approximately 50-65% of Australians are exposed to a traumatic event during their lifetime. Approximately 250 000 Australians suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at any given time, making it one of the most common anxiety disorders. In May 2007, the Australian guidelines for the treatment of adults with acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder was published.

Posttraumatic appraisals in the development and persistence of posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Cognitive models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) posit that appraisal plays an important role in the development and persistence of PTSD. This study examined posttraumatic appraisals and their relationship to the development and course of PTSD symptoms. Two hundred fifty-three injury survivors were assessed for PTSD symptoms and posttraumatic cognitions across a 12-month period.