Communications Corner

ISTSS Announcements and Updates

Special Interest Groups
Child Trauma SIG
The Child Trauma SIG provides a forum for discussion for clinicians, researchers and others with an interest in the area of children and trauma. New members, ideas and proposals are welcome. The SIG also encourages anyone looking for a forum for discussion to join the electronic listserv. For more information about the SIG, go to the Members-Only section of the ISTSS Web site or e-mail Margaret E. Blaustein at mblauste@mindspring.com.

Physical Injury, Chronic Illness and Disability SIG
A new SIG has been created to focus on PTSD reactions after physical injury, life-threatening illnesses and disability. The proposed purposes of the Physical Injury, Chronic Illness and Disability SIG are to: 1) provide a meeting place of researchers and clinicians who have investigated this topic or have an interest in it; 2) facilitate the exchange of ideas, issues and problems related to research studies in this area; 3) help disseminate knowledge and promote awareness about this topic among the ISTSS community; and 4) encourage research on interventions to decrease traumatic stress reactions after injuries, illnesses or disabilities. The initial meeting will be held in Chicago at the ISTSS 19th Annual Meeting, with plans for accomplishing the following goals: 1) create an e-mail listserv, if individuals are interested in a low-volume e-mail exchange; 2) discuss the overall objectives and focus of this SIG; 3) inquire about the needs and interests of the attendees; 4) amend a mission statement for the SIG; and 5) generate ideas and plans for future activities and meetings. For more information, contact Erin Martz, University of Missouri, at martze@missouri.edu.

Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience SIG
The Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience Special Interest Group (PPN-SIG) held its first annual meeting in Baltimore in 2002 and plans to meet again in Chicago at the ISTSS 19th Annual Meeting. Twenty-three members attended the 2002 SIG meeting, and more is hoped for in 2003. The PPN-SIG has a number of goals, which include:

• Educate the ISTSS community about advancements outside the field that have implications for research and treatment of trauma survivors.
• Promote awareness of the relationship between traumatic stress and biological issues.
• Foster communication among PPN-SIG members regarding their work and interests.
• Narrow the gap between research in these areas and clinical practice.

Last year’s meeting resulted in some ideas that have been put into action—and at the 2003 meeting, the PPN-SIG will feature a panel discussion titled “Does Psychotherapy Change the Brain?”

For information about joining the PPN-SIG, contact co-chairs Matthew Kimble at M.Kimble@bangor.ac.uk or Jennifer Vasterling at jennifer. vasterling@med.va.gov, or come to the SIG meeting in Chicago.

Trauma and Primary Care SIG
A new SIG has been established devoted to the clinical, research and education issues associated with caring for the traumatized patient in primary care settings. The new Trauma and Primary Care SIG will hold its inaugural meeting at the upcoming ISTSS 19th Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Traumatized patients have long been recognized as having elevated risks of medical morbidity and high rates of health care service utilization, confirming the link between the physical and psychological effects of trauma. The development of the Trauma and Primary Care SIG comes with the growing awareness that throughout the world, traumatized patients often receive medical and psychological care exclusively from primary care providers. The SIG will work to encourage effective strategies for identifying trauma survivors in primary care settings, develop effective interventions and foster collaborative models of care between primary care providers and mental health professionals. To share your comments, ideas or interest in the Trauma and Primary Care SIG, contact co-chairs Dennis Butler at dbutler@mcw.edu or David Eisenman at deisenman@mednet.ucla.edu.