Module 3: Interview Considerations

Page Contents

To understand the key role of the interview in conducting medical evaluations of torture allegations
To be familiar with conditions necessary for an effective interview
To understand and develop interview process skills such as empathy and earning trust
To learn effective and appropriate techniques of questioning
To understand the effect of the interviewing style on the interview process and the alleged victim
To develop the capacity to elicit a detailed narrative account of alleged experiences
To be familiar with possible difficulties of recalling and recounting elements of torture experiences
To understand how and why difficulties may arise during an interview
To be familiar with possible transference and counter-transference reactions
To develop awareness to possible vicarious traumatisation and burnout and discuss strategies to address their effects
To examine individual reactions to hearing a recording of an interview with a survivor of torture

Play audio (MP3 file) of National Public Radio interview with Sr. Dianna Ortiz (about 15 minutes) and discuss relevant interview considerations: confidentiality, informed consent, privacy, safety, objectivity, impartiality, creating a climate of trust, courtesy, honesty, empathy, the effects of interviewing style, appropriate use of open-ended and closed questioning, the risks of re-traumatisation and how to minimize the risk of re-traumatisation.
Discuss individual responses to the interview with Sr. Dianna Ortiz and discuss strategies for managing such reactions and limiting secondary trauma and “burn-out”
Discuss what you find most challenging about interviewing survivors of torture and ill treatment

Group Activity:
- Listen to the audio (MP3 file) of National Public Radio interview with Sr. Dianna Ortiz (about 15 minutes) as a class.
- Divide the class into several groups and have each group address the first two Discussion Topics above
- A facilitator should be identified to moderate the discussion and rapporteur should be identified to record the group’s findings and report them when the class reconvenes.
- After 20-30 minutes of group discussion, the entire class should reconvene
- Rapporteurs should briefly report on their group’s findings
- Open class discussion
Individual Research/Assignment:
- Research ways in which clinicians who work with survivors of torture deal with secondary trauma. Write a series of recommendations for colleagues who conduct medical evaluations of alleged torture victims on a regular basis, but are unaware of counter-transference issues
Journal Entry: (Instructor to assign Write a few paragraphs — no more than a page)
- Consider your response to the audiotape of interview with Sr. Dianna Ortiz. Provide a series of recommendations to effectivel address these reactions and possibly others.
- Discuss what you find most challenging about interviewing survivors of torture and ill treatment

The Istanbul Protocol
The Medical Documentation of Torture
Medical Investigation and Documentation of Torture: A Handbook for Health Professionals
Psychological Evaluation of Torture Allegations: An International Training Manual
Audio of interview with Sr. Dianna Ortiz. National Public Radio. 1996.
Trainers’ Guidelines for Health Professionals: Training of Users
Torture Reporting Handbook, Part II – Documenting Allegations