Trauma-Informed Care: Healing with Compassion and Understanding
I wanted to talk about trauma and why trauma informed care matters.
Trauma-Informed Care is an approach that recognises the widespread impact of trauma and prioritises creating a safe and supportive environment for those individuals who may have experienced trauma. It is not to necessarily treat trauma-related difficulties, but to help with the barriers that people affected by trauma can experience within healthcare.
A trauma-informed approach is based on key principles: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity. It shifts the focus from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”—acknowledging that trauma can shape a person’s thoughts, behaviours, and emotional responses.
Many patients seeking healthcare of any form may have a history of trauma and some won’t even be aware of it. In fact it is estimated that around 70% of people globally will experience a potentially traumatic event during their lifetime. This can really affect an individuals ability to trust healthcare professionals, communicate their needs, or even comply with any treatments.
As a healthcare practitioner, learning what trauma-informed care is, why it matters, and why it needs to be adopted in almost every possible healthcare setting, is I believe, a crucial part of our job. Whilst I do not specialise in trauma care, a large part of my clinical work involves listening to my patients recount past traumas and helping them unpick how this has impacted their health, be it physically or mentally.
Ultimately, we need to be aware that trauma-informed care leads to better health outcomes by improving the trust between healthcare professionals and their patient, reducing the potential for re-traumatization, and increasing long-term well-being for those affected by trauma.
In 12 weeks time on Friday 16 May, our Summer Conference on Trauma Informed Care takes place here at Ham Green House, Bristol. This is a hybrid event (in person and online) with talks from leading experts who will share the latest research and their practical strategies for recognising and responding to trauma. This knowledge will be priceless for improving outcomes for individuals who have experienced trauma, building their resilience and helping with recovery.
In person tickets are limited but are currently available on an early-bird discount for £87 (full price ticket usually £120). You can request recordings if you cannot join us live on the day.
Dr Elizabeth Thompson