Is your patient a Holocaust survivor?

This presentation is meant to heighten physicians' awareness of the special needs and strengths of Holocaust survivors. There has been much research on patients of psychiatric clinics, and there is considerable evidence from other sources that Holocaust survivors are a high risk group for mental, as well as other medical problems. A physician who is aware of this is better able to diagnose and treat survivor-patients. Therefore, it is proposed that questions about the Holocaust be routinely included in the taking of personal histories from patients who came from Europe after World War II. 2 examples of Holocaust survivor patients are described, to show how the use of this information can improve the care provided by the physician.