Coroners and PTSD: Treatment Implications

Raymond B. Flannery, Thomas Greenhalgh

Experimental studies have documented the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first responders. These studies have routinely included police, firefighters, and paramedics. However, there is another group of first responders that are at risk for PTSD but that has received less research attention. This group is comprised of coroners. This paper reviewed the published data concerning coroners and PTSD and outlined various treatments for addressing coronial PTSD. The findings, the differing treatments, and a detailed methodological inquiry are presented. The need for a conceptual framework for the various other professional groups responding to critical incidents and a crisis intervention approach to address the psychological needs of both family survivors and coronial personnel are noted.