Caveat emptor, caveat venditor, and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing/Management (CISD/M)

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/76

Title: Caveat emptor, caveat venditor, and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing/Management (CISD/M)
Author(s): Devilly, Grant J.; Cotton, Peter
Abstract: Mitchell (2004) and Robinson (2004) have expressed concerns regarding our recent article on debriefing (Devilly & Cotton, 2003). In this article we respond to their concerns, some scientific, some sociopolitical, and provide further substantiation regarding our conclusions. We conclude that CISD and CISM are indistinct approaches to trauma and should be treated as synonymous terms (CISD/M) until the necessary and sufficient elements of each are fully declared. Furthermore, based upon current evidence, we restipulate that CISD/M is an ineffective response to critical incidents for individuals, and that organisations need to revise their critical incident response policies to reflect the current weight of scientific evidence. There are currently no reliable studies demonstrating the efficacy of group debriefing.
Publication type: Journal article
Research centre: Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Centre for Neuropsychology
Source: Australian Psychologist, Vol. 39, no. 1 (Mar. 2004), pp. 35-40
Publication year: 2004
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
ISSN: 0005-0067
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00050060410001660317
Peer reviewed