The Feasibility of Home-based Multidisciplinary Intervention for Mediating the Impact of The Meiling Overturned Coach Accident on a Child Survivor

Purpose: A coach accident occurred in Meiling, Tainan, Taiwan on December 3, 2006. It involved approximately 17 families, and caused 22 deaths and 23 injuries. As a result of the accident, a 10-year-old girl lost both her parents and sustained multiple fractures. The present paper centers on presenting our experience with and evaluating the feasibility of home-based multidisciplinary intervention (HBMI) for mediating the impact of an accident on a child survivor. Methods: After undergoing emergency care, surgery, and 18-day inpatient rehabilitation, the child was discharged and received the 8-month HBMI, which was developed, provided, and coordinated by the crisis intervention response team comprised of the authors of this paper and other health/mental health professionals. The HBMI comprised structured home services after a short-term hospitalization. During home services, the child underwent case management services, a physical therapy program, and a preventative psychological intervention. Results: HBMI improved the child's muscle strength, facilitated daily living activities, and supported management of psychological consequences resulting from the accident. Conclusions: The advantages (e.g., reduction in transfer challenges, saving massive inpatient medical expenses) and limitations (e.g., difficulties in scheduling visits, limited service delivery) of the HBMI are discussed to guide its future application to randomized controlled studies or among those who have experienced other types of traumatic accidents.