Exploration of the Implementation of Istanbul Protocol for Torture Screening in the Refugee Health Team in Trondheim. A Qualitative Study.

The refugee migrant crisis has become an increasingly oppressing matter in the whole world in the past few years. Migration can affect physical, social and mental health and well-being of a person. High rates of PTSD and depression have been observed in torture survivors. Torture also unavoidably impacts individuals who are close to the survivor: family members, children, and spouses. Istanbul protocol contains detailed guidelines on physical and psychological investigation of torture of adults and children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of health personnel in the Refugee Health Team, during the first implementation of the Istanbul Protocol of Torture Screening in Norway. 10 semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with health personnel working in the Refugee Health Team in Trondheim. The data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The health personnel involved in this project found that their experience was rewarding. They believe the questionnaire is more thorough and screening more structured, which helps them at different stages of screening to be better prepared to help the patients. On the other hand, some participants felt that they did not get sufficient training. This present study shows that the use of Istanbul Protocol for Torture screening was appreciated by health personnel and is helpful while receiving asylum seekers and refugees, in order to evaluate their need of help and to guide them within the Norwegian health system for improving their health after exposure to torture