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Essay
Healing In Conflict: The Perspective of an Israeli Family Physician During Wartime
Background: On October 7, 2023, Israel experienced a devastating attack when over 1,200 Israelis, including Jews, Christians, and Muslims, were killed or taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. Family doctors were suddenly responsible for treating patients amid ongoing rocket attacks and a heightened sense of insecurity, while entire communities faced displacement and psychological trauma. The author reflects on her experience volunteering at a temporary primary care clinic near the Dead Sea a week after the attack, providing care to displaced patients from diverse backgrounds.
Key Argument: This essay highlights the significant burden placed on family doctors during wartime. These physicians treated injured patients, provided trauma-informed care, and offered emotional support in a time of extreme fear and uncertainty. The sorrow the author encountered in her volunteering experience served as a reminder of the parallel suffering endured by civilians in Gaza.
Why It Matters: This essay sheds light on the complex realities physicians face when caring for patients in wartime, demonstrating how they continue to deliver compassionate care despite immense challenges. The experience of Israeli family doctors after the October 7th attack underscores the importance of trauma-informed care, empathetic communication, and mental health support. These physicians rapidly acquired new skills in trauma care and collaborated with mental health professionals to provide essential care, highlighting their resilience and commitment to supporting their communities during a crisis.
Healing Amidst Conflict: The Perspective of an Israeli Family Physician During Wartime
Dikla Agur Cohen, MD, MSc
Department of Family Medicine, Ruth and Baruch Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
