U.S. Physicians’ Training and Experience in Providing Trauma-Informed Care in Clinical Settings

M. Lelinneth B. Novilla (), Kaitlyn Tan Bird, Carl L. Hanson, AliceAnn Crandall, Ella Gaskin Cook, Oluwadamilola Obalana, Lexi Athena Brady and Hunter Frierichs
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M. Lelinneth B. Novilla: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Kaitlyn Tan Bird: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Carl L. Hanson: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA
AliceAnn Crandall: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Ella Gaskin Cook: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Oluwadamilola Obalana: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Lexi Athena Brady: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA
Hunter Frierichs: Department of Public Health, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 2, 1-25

Abstract: Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a comprehensive approach that focuses on the whole individual. It acknowledges the experiences and symptoms of trauma and their impact on health. TIC prioritizes physical and emotional safety through a relationship of trust that supports patient choice and empowerment. It provides a safe and respectful healing environment that considers specific needs while promoting a greater sense of well-being, patient engagement, and partnership in the treatment process. Given the prevalence of trauma, this descriptive cross-sectional study examined the attitudes and perspectives of U.S. physicians (N = 179; 67% males; 84% White; 43% aged 56–65) in providing trauma-informed care using an anonymous 29-item online survey administered by Reaction Data. Findings showed that 16% (n = 18) of physicians estimated that >50% of their patients have a history of trauma. Commonly perceived barriers to providing TIC were resource/time/administrative constraints, provider stress, limited awareness of the right provider to refer patients who experienced trauma, and inadequate TIC emphasis in medical education/training. Expanding physicians’ knowledge base of trauma through training and organizational policy/support is crucial in enhancing their TIC competence, particularly in caring for patients with complex care needs whose social determinants increase their risk of exposure to adverse experiences that carry lasting physical and psychological effects.

Keywords: trauma; traumatic experiences; adverse experiences; toxic/chronic stress; stress-related events; trauma-informed care; vulnerable populations; healthcare (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:2:p:232-:d:1339629

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