Resources for Clinicians and Evaluators

HEAL utilizes the support of volunteer clinicians to assist with our forensic evaluation clinic.

National Resources for Clinicians who are interested in Asylum Medicine:

Asylum Medicine Training Initiative (AMTI):

The AMTI was founded in 2021 to train healthcare professionals to meet the need for forensic medical evaluations of people seeking asylum in the U.S. 

The AMTI team recognized the need to standardize and improve asylum medicine training for clinicians hoping to conduct forensic medical evaluations, and worked to develop free, peer-reviewed content that participants can review on their own time from their own location. Frequently Asked Questions and Resources from AMTI

The AMTI Introductory Curriculum is the product of an interdisciplinary collaboration involving 80 contributors with expertise in asylum medicine and human rights law from over 40 organizations and academic centers across the U.S. 

The AMTI is required training for any students and clinicians assisting HEAL with its forensic evaluations.

AMTI Core Modules:

  1. Historical-Legal Background

  2. Trauma-Informed Interview

  3. Forensic Mental Health Evaluation

  4. Forensic Physical Evaluation

  5. Affidavit Writing & Testifying

Focused Modules:

  1. Pediatric Forensic Evaluations

  2. Sexual & Gender-Based Violence

  3. Traumatic Brain Injury

  4. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Asylum

  5. Evaluations in Detention

  6. Vicarious Trauma & Resilience

Istanbul Protocol: Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Since its writing in 2001 and update in 2004, the Istanbul Protocol has served as a valuable medico-legal tool to “effectively guide the investigation and documentation of torture and ill-treatment, protection of victims and advocacy work of civil society on behalf of victims (Istanbul Protocol, 2004).”

Society of Asylum Medicine

“The Society of Asylum Medicine provides resources and promotes community and interaction among professionals involved in asylum medicine.”

Physicians for Human Rights

PHR is a direct service, training, and advocacy organization that was founded to create a space where science and medicine could be used to document and call attention to human rights violations and other atrocities. Among other programs, PHR provides training and technical support to clinicians seeking training on asylum medicine and forensic evaluation.

  1. Trainings and Webinars for Health Professionals

  2. Guides and Protocol for Advocacy and Evaluators

University of California Hastings College of Law Center for Gender & Refugee Studies

  1. Training and Technical Assistance Page

Vicarious Trauma & Self Care Resources

Self Care for Providers (from HIAS)

Vicarious Trauma (from HIAS)