The physician and posttraumatic states.

Abstract

To the Editor:— Physicians who treat patients soon after injuries naturally deal with the effects of the traumatic experience on the body; but there is also an opportunity to observe the effects on the personality. At first, the victim undergoes intense anxiety. His role of accident victim develops progressively from the scene of the accident, in the ambulance, to the emergency room and x-ray department, and is assisted by the reactions of physicians and relatives. The physician usually plays a decisive part in determining the seriousness of the injury and, more exactly, the seriousness of the patient's reaction to it. He decides whether or not the person requires admission to a hospital, medication, and limitation of activity. As the physician states the prognosis, his style of presentation is important. He may express the risk of possible complications of a mild head injury in a threatening way, eg, You never can