What Is Trauma-Informed Care?

Traumatic experiences can be life-changing. It is well known that these experiences can have long-term health effects. In addition to mental health challenges, traumatic experiences can lead to substance use disorders and chronic health conditions ¹. While most doctors are able to identify physical illnesses in their patients, many do not consider how trauma might play a role in informing their care practices.

What is trauma-informed care?

This type of care is a different approach to healthcare. It factors in the possibility that a person may have experienced a traumatic event that could be contributing to their health concerns. It emphasizes understanding, respecting, and responding to the effects of trauma. This understanding is then applied to all levels of a person’s care.²

What are the benefits of trauma-informed care?

Trauma-informed care is an approach that can improve many aspects of a person’s health. This is because it:²

• Addresses any potential re-traumatizing experiences
• Establishes a trauma care team
• Ensures commitment to a trauma-informed culture of care
• Conducts early, respectful trauma screening and assessment for all patients
• Involves doctors and their patients in the planning of care services

The 5 principles of trauma-informed care

Healthcare providers are guided by these 5 basic principles:^2,3

1. Safety – Creating spaces where people feel physically and emotionally safe
2. Choice – People have control over their own care, and their experiences are respected
3. Collaboration – Doctors and patients work together and share in the decision-making process
4. Trustworthiness – Doctors are honest and clear when explaining treatment options and concerns about care
5. Empowerment – A person’s strengths, rather than their weakness or issues stemming from their traumatic experiences, are emphasized

Things to consider

It is important to understand that trauma-informed care is not the same as trauma-specific care. It does not try to heal trauma or even address the specific trauma directly. Delivering this type of informed care requires the commitment of all members of a healthcare team – from office staff to nurses to doctors. They must all agree to provide compassionate, effective care for all people who have experienced past trauma.²