Medical

The physical and psychological problems of survivors and refugees are complex. Some are chronic or recurrent.  For asylum seekers, the challenge is compounded; they have limited access to basic healthcare. In addition, language barriers and fear may block survivors from giving a complete and accurate medical history.

The Program for Torture Victims has developed an integrated approach to rehabilitation. We offer medical and psychological services to clients, leverage existing community resources to meet their immediate and basic needs, and lend support for social and cultural adjustment.

Every client sees both a PTV physician and a therapist.  The Venice Family Clinic provides pro bono medical services to PTV’s clients, including medical examinations and treatment, lab tests, medications, and hospital referrals.  Most of our clients have received some services through the Venice Family Clinic, resulting in a significant in-kind dollar contribution to PTV as well as allowing us to provide quality medical services to our clients.  We also refer clients to Clinica Monsignor Oscar Romero and the Los Angeles County/USC Hospital.

The health effects of torture remain an invisible problem. A 2003 study of three Los Angeles community clinics found that only 3% of torture survivors told their physicians about their experiences.  If a patient is a refugee from a country that has experienced severe unrest, is a member of a persecuted minority, and shows symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, torture can be suspected.
The Program for Torture Victims can provide additional training and consultations on identifying and treating survivors, as well as interpreter services.

If you are a health care provider and wish to receive information, refer a patient, or offer help, please contact Dr. Jose Quiroga, Medical Director, 213.747.4944 ext. 251 or jquirogamd@aol.com

• Dr.Quiroga’s Desktop Study [PDF]
  
  
• Eisenman, D, Gelberg, L, Liu, H, Shapiro, M. (2003).  Mental health and health-related quality of life among adult Latino primary care patients living in the United States with previous exposure to political violence. JAMA 2003; 290:627-634. 
  
  
• Eisenman, D., Keller, A., Kim, G. (2000).  Survivors of torture in a general medical setting: how often have patients been tortured, and how often is it missed? Western Journal of Medicine 2000 May; 172 (5): 301-304. 
  
  
• Quiroga, J, Jaranson, J (2005).  Politically-motivated torture and its survivors: a desk study review of the literature. Torture. Journal on Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Prevention of Torture 15 (2-3): 1-111).