Participation of psychologists in Istanbul Protocol based physical examinations:an applied perspective.

Abstract

Objective When invited to evaluate a middle-aged male asylum seeker regarding alleged torture, the following question kept coming to my mind: Would it be appropriate, perhaps even vital, for mental health professionals to participate in Istanbul Protocol (IP) based physical examinations? The intent is not to do the physical examination but to be present, observe, ask relevant questions, and witness with the client's consent. The article elaborates on this question while sharing my perspective as a clinical psychologist and referring to relevant literature. Keywords: torture and ill-treatment, clinical evaluation, interdisciplinary collaboration, Istanbul Protocol, mental health professionals, Israel.