Psychological 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.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participants should be able to:

• 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.

Target Audience

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures
• Other

Accreditation/Credit Designation

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 activity for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. 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.

Term of Approval

November 1, 2023 through November 30, 2025. Original release date: November 1, 2023.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.