Achieving Service Change Through the Implementation of a Trauma-Informed Care Training Program Within a Mental Health...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services
• Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Childhood trauma is linked to long-term adverse health outcomes.
• Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is becoming essential in mental health.
• Existing services require enhanced trauma-informed practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a workshop's effectiveness in promoting TIC principles and practices among healthcare professionals.
• To assess changes in practitioners' confidence, awareness, and attitudes regarding TIC.
• To measure the impact of the workshop on perceived barriers to implementing TIC.

Main Methods:

• A workshop intervention was delivered to nursing, medical, and allied health professionals.
• Pre- and post-workshop measures assessed confidence, awareness, and attitudes towards TIC.
• Follow-up assessments evaluated routine trauma screening and specific intervention training.

Main Results:

• The workshop was highly rated for relevance and utility.
• Participants showed significant increases in confidence, awareness, and positive attitudes towards TIC (p < .001).
• Perceived barriers to working within a TIC framework significantly decreased (p < .05).

Conclusions:

• Brief training in TIC can effectively enhance practitioners' knowledge and attitudes.
• This foundational training supports the development of trauma-informed mental health services.
• Post-training, clinicians increased trauma screening and specialized intervention training, indicating practice change.