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ForwardPsychological Evaluation of Asylum Seekers
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. Though many providers wish to assist in substantiating asylum seekers' legal claims to protection, relatively few have been formally trained in performing forensic physical and psychological evaluations and preparing supporting medical-legal affidavits. Additionally, some who previously underwent training have voiced a desire for further education before confidently performing evaluations independently. 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. Upon completion of the training, fully licensed professionals will be able to conduct evaluations, while students and trainees will be able to assist with preparing the affidavit that supports the client’s legal case for asylum. Participants will also have the option to become a volunteer in the Baylor College of Medicine Human Rights and Asylum Clinic through the Physicians for Human Rights Asylum Network.
Target Audience
This activity is for any health professional interested in conducting or assisting with forensic evaluations documenting
evidence of physical and/or psychological trauma in support of asylum seekers’ legal claims to asylum, including physician
faculty, residents, fellows, medical students, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical psychologists, social workers,
and nurses.
Learning Objectives
- 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.
Physician:
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 enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. 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 1.75 continuing education units.
Available Credit
- 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.75 Participation
- 1.75 Social Work
Thank you for reviewing this Baylor College of Medicine on-demand activity. In order to complete the evaluation and claim credit for your participation, please select the appropriate payment option above. After payment has been completed, you will receive an email confirmation and receipt.
For any questions, contact cpd@bcm.edu.