Dressing an existential wound (DEW) - a new model for long-term care following disasters.

after a disaster. The term ‘life issues’ refers to the following: existential questioning of life’s content, values and priorities; people’s relationships with each other; and the importance of health, suffering, love and death. Life issues also refer to the way in which survivors form a new understanding of life after a disaster experience. Existential care is based on a charitable attitude of compassion and mercy towards one’s fellows, be they professionals, families or wider society. By presenting eight theses, the model provides an approach based on compassion that works as an existential dressing for survivors of disaster. Conclusions: The model gives a knowledge base and approach for the long-term care of survivors, including practical advice.