Forensic Evaluations for Asylum Seekers: A Psychological, Medical and Legal Training
Needs Statement
Thousands of survivors of human rights abuses seek humanitarian protection in the U.S. annually, relying on personal narratives of abuse to support claims to asylum. Medical legal documentation of physical and psychological sequelae of abuse by health professionals trained in the forensic evaluation of asylum seekers offers significant support to survivors' asylum claims. However, the need for evaluations exceeds the number of providers trained to perform them. This training will equip participants to recognize sequelae of human rights abuses and provide forensic evaluations on behalf of survivors, with the goal of increasing the number of professionals trained to provide evaluations locally.
Target Audience
Physician faculty, residents, fellows, medical students, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical psychologists, social workers, and nurses.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of the conference, participants should be able to:
- Outline the immigration and asylum process in the United States and the important role of the health professional and forensic documentation in these processes.
- Describe the variety of presentations of emotional and psychological trauma characteristic of immigrant survivors of torture and maltreatment who are seeking humanitarian protection in the U.S.
- Evaluate the various physical sequelae of abuse characteristic of immigrant survivors of torture and maltreatment who are seeking humanitarian protection in the U.S.
- Identify the components of a successful forensic interview for immigrant survivors of torture and maltreatment who are seeking humanitarian protection in the U.S., and implement best practices for structuring and managing the interview process.
Educational Methods
Lectures ▪ Panel Discussion
Activity Evaluation
Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.
Contact
For questions, please contact Tejas Kumar at tejask@bcm.edu
ACCREDITATION/CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENTS
Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Baylor College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Social Worker: Baylor College of Medicine, Office of Continuing Medical Education (License Number 7270) is an approved continuing education provider for Social Workers through the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. This activity has been approved for 4.00 continuing education units.
Ethics: The presentations, Psychological Evaluation of Asylum Seekers, Accessing Protection Under U.S. Law, and Introduction to the Forensic Medical Evaluation have been designated by Baylor College of Medicine for 2.75 credit of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.
Available Credit
- 4.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 4.50 Attendance
- 2.75 Ethics
- 4.50 Social Work