How does trauma-informed care improve staff attitudes and patient outcomes?

Trauma-Informed Care Improves Staff Attitudes and Patient Outcomes

Formalized training in trauma-informed care (TIC) for all staff has been proven effective in changing staff-reported beliefs and behaviors, improving therapeutic relationships, and enhancing patient functioning and behavioral regulation. 1 This approach creates a healthcare environment that prioritizes safety, patient self-efficacy, and trauma awareness throughout the entire care team.

How TIC Improves Staff Attitudes

Staff Training and Development

• TIC training effectively changes staff attitudes toward trauma survivors by:
  • Increasing awareness of how trauma affects behavior and health
  • Teaching staff to recognize trauma responses rather than labeling patients as "difficult" 1
  • Reducing stigma through universal screening approaches 1
  • Improving staff's ability to respond appropriately to trauma-related behaviors 1

Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout

• TIC implementation addresses staff wellbeing by:
  • Acknowledging the emotional toll of listening to trauma stories 1
  • Providing resources to address secondary traumatic stress (STS) 1
  • Creating team-based care approaches that allow sharing of difficult cases 1
  • Promoting self-care practices (adequate rest, exercise, healthy diet, mindfulness) 1

Creating Supportive Work Environments

• TIC fosters improved workplace culture through:
  • Leadership commitment to reviewing policies that ensure safe work environments 1
  • Addressing racial and gender discrimination, including implicit bias 1
  • Providing supportive supervision and peer mentoring 1
  • Acknowledging that staff may have their own trauma histories 1

How TIC Improves Patient Outcomes

Enhanced Patient Safety and Trust

• TIC improves patient outcomes by:
  • Creating warm, welcoming physical environments 1
  • Providing clear communication of expectations and procedures 1
  • Offering choices when possible (e.g., "Do you want blood pressure taken on right arm or left?") 1
  • Focusing on emotions rather than behaviors during difficult interactions 1

Improved Patient Engagement and Empowerment

• TIC enhances patient participation through:
  • Involving families and youth in developing TIC policies and practices 1
  • Creating structures like Family Advisory Councils 1
  • Building trust and transparency in healthcare relationships 2
  • Collaborating with patients in decision-making 2

Better Clinical Outcomes

• TIC leads to improved health outcomes by:
  • Reducing retraumatization in healthcare settings 3
  • Decreasing the impact of psychological trauma within the healthcare system 4
  • Promoting resilience through supportive relationships 2
  • Addressing both physical and mental health needs comprehensively 2

Implementation Strategies for Effective TIC

Organizational Approach

1. Obtain leadership commitment to TIC principles 1
2. Train all staff, including non-clinical personnel 1, 5
3. Review physical environments from patient perspectives 1
4. Integrate trauma knowledge into policies and procedures 1
5. Develop community partnerships with schools, child welfare, and other agencies 1

Clinical Approach

1. Create emotionally and physically safe environments 2
2. Use appropriate screening tools to identify trauma exposure 1
3. Respond to trauma with empathy and validation 2
4. Provide evidence-based treatments when needed 1
5. Maintain continuity of care and follow-up 1

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Implementation Challenges

• Resource constraints: Physicians cite time, administrative constraints, and provider stress as barriers to TIC implementation 6

  • Solution: Integrate TIC into existing workflows rather than adding separate processes 1

• Limited awareness of referral options: Providers may not know where to refer trauma patients 6

  • Solution: Develop comprehensive referral networks and warm handoff protocols 1

• Inadequate training: Medical education often lacks emphasis on TIC 6

  • Solution: Implement standardized TIC training programs, which have shown effectiveness even in brief formats 5

• Staff burnout: STS combined with burnout increases medical errors 1

  • Solution: Create supportive supervision structures and address workplace stressors 1

By implementing comprehensive trauma-informed care approaches, healthcare organizations can significantly improve both staff attitudes and patient outcomes, creating healing environments that recognize and address the widespread impact of trauma.