Free posttraumatic stress disorder DVDs back by popular demand
December 11, 2009Due to high demand, the Rural Health Education Foundation is again offering two programs about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to health workers and community members on DVD for free.
The first of the free resources, Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a 43-minute program, developed in conjunction with Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health (APCMH), which aims to improve health practitioners’ knowledge of, and capacity to manage, mental health conditions following trauma.
The second free educational video, Recovery from Trauma: What Works, is a 30-minute program aimed at those who have experienced trauma, as well as their families and carers. The program recently won a prestigious “FREDDIE” statuette at the 2009 International Health and Medical Media Awards (see story).
The new batch of free DVDs is available thanks to funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Both programs feature case studies, which provide examples of best practice approaches, and can be used in intervention or in training and education with other health professionals.
The two PTSD programs are available together on a single DVD, which also contains an electronic resource base that supports the use of the Guidelines and provides printable material for ongoing intervention. In addition, Recovery from Trauma: What Works is available as a stand-alone program on a separate DVD, which health practitioners can give to patients and their families to improve their awareness and knowledge of symptoms and treatment.
How to order free DVDs
You can order a free DVD copy of these PTSD programs either through the Foundation’s program page or by email to support@rhef.com.au. If sending an email, include your full postal address details (including phone number and email address) with “Order PTSD Practitioner and Community DVD” as the subject of your email message. If you only want the DVD which has the community-focused Recovery from Trauma program, please mention this in the body of your email message.
Alternatively, go the online program page for Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and click the “add to cart” button on the right-hand side of the page. This ordering option requires you to log in to the website as a registered user (registration is free).
Free PTSD programs still in high demand
“Our initial supply of free DVDs was snapped up very quickly, so we’re delighted to be able to offer these important programs to a new group of health practitioners and their patients without charge,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “The Foundation is grateful for the additional DVD funding from the Department of Health and Ageing, which will ensure that the PTSD Guidelines are introduced to an even wider audience.”
About the free PTSD programs
The practitioner-focused program, Australian Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, first aired on the Foundation’s national satellite broadcast network on 24 February 2009. It demonstrates best practice approaches through three case studies relating to recent trauma, suspected or diagnosed Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and PTSD with comorbidity.
The program also covers issues such as psychological first aid, screening, trauma-focused therapy, medication and other comorbid disorders following trauma. The guidelines were developed by the ACPMH and have been approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Learning outcomes from the program include:
- Accessing and utilising the Guidelines easily and effectively
- Identifying the key diagnostic criteria for PTSD
- Effectively screening and assessing the signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress syndromes
The community-focused program, Recovery from Trauma: What Works, is intended for people who have experienced a traumatic event, or are close to someone who has, and need help to cope with the experience. It has been produced to help all involved to better understand the signs and symptoms a sufferer may be experiencing, and assist in making more informed decisions about the most appropriate treatment and care.
It presents information and advice on:
- The kind of information your health practitioner needs from you to determine how to help.
- The most effective treatments for problems following trauma.
- The best way to help someone in the first few days and weeks after a traumatic event.
The program features presentations from respected psychologists and psychiatrists, and includes several case studies which explore specific issues, such as: traumatic events and reactions to them; psychological therapy; and what might get in the way of recovery. It will be broadcast by the Foundation through its satellite network on March 16 and March 19, 2010.
Other Foundation programs available free on DVD
The Foundation has several other programs, covering a range of health topics, available free on DVD. For more information about these programs, and to learn how to order free DVD copies, please visit the Foundation’s free DVD page.