Trauma-Informed Care Interventions Used in Pediatric Inpatient or Residential Treatment Mental Health Settings and Strategies to Implement Them: A Scoping Review

A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers

BACKGROUND

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a framework that recognizes the pervasive impact of trauma, aiming to enhance both patient outcomes and provider well-being. Given the high prevalence of trauma among individuals seeking healthcare, it is essential for healthcare providers (HCPs) to be trauma informed. However, standardized TIC curricula for training healthcare staff are lacking. This study assessed perceptions towards TIC among multidisciplinary HCPs, patients, and leadership staff at two urban hospitals in Canada.

METHODS

This mixed-methods prospective cross-sectional study employed Kern's six-step approach for curriculum development. A needs assessment was conducted via an online questionnaire for HCPs and semi-structed interviews with individuals from the three participant groups: HCPs, patients, and leadership staff. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding TIC. Semi-structured interviews explored perspectives on TIC, including curriculum priorities and potential implementation barriers. Findings informed the development of a virtual TIC curriculum, with iterative feedback collected to refine and assess its acceptability.

RESULTS

Among 106 HCP questionnaire respondents including Medical Doctors, Social Workers and Registered Nurses, 96 (90.6%) identified as women, and 97 (91.5%) as providers of direct patient care. Despite 93 (87.7%) having prior TIC education, 77 (72.6%) reported low confidence in applying TIC knowledge in clinical practice. Key perceived challenges to TIC training implementation included time constraints and lack of standardization across disciplines. A multimedia, self-paced course was the preferred solution. Thematic analysis of interviews with 28 participants (10 HCPs, 10 patients, 8 leadership staff) revealed six major themes: healthcare interactions, TIC implementation, training needs, system level barriers, curriculum preferences, and systems level improvements. Participants underscored the risk of re-traumatization to patients in healthcare settings without TIC and emphasized the need for universal TIC training for all staff.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a strong interest in a TIC course for multidisciplinary HCPs, supports the translation of knowledge into practice and incorporates a focus on cultural humility. Integrating insights from key stakeholders in this needs assessment phase resulted in the development of a TIC curriculum inclusive of diverse voices and viewpoints and strengthened the understanding of contextual factors that will support effective TIC implementation.

Trauma Informed Care in the Prevention of High-Risk Sexual Behaviors and Unplanned Pregnancy in Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders

Although teen pregnancy and birth rates have declined over the decades, all adolescentpopulations are at risk. Disparities among adolescent pregnancies still exist, including increased risk and rates of unplanned pregnancy among vulnerable adolescents, including those with a mental health diagnosis.Adolescent girls with mental health disorders are notably at higher risk and are three timesmore likely to become pregnant than those without a mental illness. Adolescents who have experienced trauma and have a mental health diagnosis are much more likely to engage in high-risk sexual activity, to not participate in contraceptive use, and to become pregnant than their counterparts.Using Trauma Informed Care (TIC) to assess mental health diagnoses, high-risk sexual behaviors, and risk for unplanned pregnancy among adolescent populations can be an effective approach for primary prevention. There is increased expectation for clinicians to practice TIC and to establish relationships with patients while understanding how mental health diagnoses can impact health behaviors. The focus of this paper is to examine the effects of adolescent unplanned pregnancy, identify the increased risk for adolescents with mental health disorders, and discuss general methods for TIC in clinical practice.

Youth, caregiver and healthcare professional perspectives on planning the implementation of a trauma-informed care programme: A qualitative study

AIMS

To explore youth, caregiver and staff perspectives on their vision of trauma-informed care, and to identify and understand potential considerations for the implementation of a trauma-informed care programme in an inpatient mental health unit within a paediatric hospital.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We applied the Interpretive Description approach, guided by complexity theory and the Implementation Roadmap, and used Applied Thematic Analysis methods.

FINDINGS

Twenty-five individuals participated in individual or group interviews between March and June 2022, including 21 healthcare professionals, 3 youth and 1 caregiver. We identified two overarching themes. The first theme, 'Understanding and addressing the underlying reasons for distress', related to participants' understanding and vision of TIC in the current setting comprising: (a) 'Participants' understanding of TIC'; (b) 'Trauma screening and trauma processing within TIC'; (c) 'Taking "a more individualized approach"'; (d) 'Unit programming'; and (e) "Connecting to the community". The second theme, 'Factors that support or limit successful TIC implementation' comprises: (a) 'The need for a broad "cultural shift"'; (b) 'The physical environment on the unit'; and (c) 'Factors that may limit successful implementation'.

CONCLUSION

We identified five key domains to consider within trauma-informed care implementation: (a) the centrality of engagement with youth, caregivers and staff in trauma-informed care delivery and implementation, (b) trauma-informed care core programme components, (c) factors that may support or limit success in implementing trauma-informed care within the mental health unit and (d) hospital-wide and (e) the importance of intersectoral collaboration (partnering with external organizations and sectors).

IMPACT

When implementing TIC, there is an ongoing need to increase clarity regarding TIC interventions and implementation initiatives. Youth, caregiver and healthcare professional participants shared considerations important for planning the delivery and implementation of trauma-informed care in their setting. We identified five key domains to consider within trauma-informed care implementation: (a) the centrality of relational engagement, (b) trauma-informed care programme components, (c) factors that may support or limit successful implementation of trauma-informed care within the mental health unit and (d) hospital-wide and (e) the importance of intersectoral collaboration. Organizations wishing to implement trauma-informed care should consider ongoing engagement with all relevant knowledge user groups throughout the process.

REPORTING METHOD

Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The local hospital research institute's Patient and Family Advisory Committee reviewed the draft study methods and provided feedback.