What is Trauma Informed Care?
Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is an approach in healthcare and other fields that recognizes that trauma affects a significant proportion of the population, and has an effect on healthcare experiences and outcomes.
TIC seeks to understand the how trauma affects individuals and to avoid re-traumatization in a healthcare setting and better support healing.
Why does it matter? To understand the importance of TIC, we have to first understand what trauma is and how it plays out in healthcare settings.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is the lasting results of living through a distressing event or ongoing circumstances. It can be caused by:
physical, emotional or sexual abuse
childhood neglect
family history of mental health or substance abuse disorders
death of or separation from a loved one
poverty, racism, discrimination or oppression
experience of violence (such as war) or natural disasters
Trauma affects people in many different ways. Some common ones include:
trouble regulating emotions such as anxiety, anger, shame or sadness
self-medicating, substance abuse
self-harm or compulsive behaviours
feeling “too much” or “too little”
numbing or dissociation
trouble sleeping or focusing
flashbacks or nightmares
Trauma in Healthcare Settings
TIC is important in healthcare settings because:
there is a power imbalance between healthcare providers and patients
it often involves sensitive information, physical touch or uncomfortable procedures that can cause trauma if not handled in a trauma-informed way, or can be triggering or retraumatizing to individuals who have experienced previous trauma
TIC ensures sensitivity to the unique needs of trauma survivors. By recognizing the effects of trauma, TIC encourages a compassionate and respectful interaction that can significantly improve patient outcomes. This approach helps build trust between patients and care providers, reducing the likelihood of re-traumatization and making patients more likely to engage actively in their care.
What to Expect From a TIC Provider
Not all healthcare professionals are aware of the extent and effects of trauma, and how to practice TIC, although this awareness if growing.
Ideally, when receiving care from a provider who is aware of or trained in TIC:
You are treated with dignity and respect, and given agency over your choices.
Providers prioritize your emotional and physical safety, and work on building trust with you.
You will be asked for informed consent about sharing sensitive information (and only be asked about sensitive information that is necessary and relevant to your care), and be asked for consent about the process or treatment.
Your provider will validate any trauma you disclose, take this into account in treatment, and may provide or refer you to outside support if needed.