The Trauma Recovery Clinic: A Stepped Collaborative Care Model for Trauma Surgery Patients to Address Health...

Area of Science:

• Trauma recovery and mental health services
• Collaborative care models in healthcare
• Health disparities in trauma care

Background:

• The Trauma Recovery Clinic (TRC) was established to address the psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial needs of traumatically injured patients after hospital discharge.
• The study aimed to evaluate the TRC's efficacy as an application of the stepped collaborative care model to mitigate health disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the effectiveness of the Trauma Recovery Clinic (TRC) in treating patients with traumatic injuries.
• To assess the TRC's role in addressing health disparities through a stepped collaborative care approach.

Main Methods:

• Patients treated at a level-I trauma center were enrolled in the TRC outpatient program.
• Data collected included PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), PHQ-9 for depression, Attitudes towards Guns scale, and weapon carrying practices.
• 80 patients were included, with data collected on social determinants of health and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in trauma symptoms (P=.001) and depressive symptoms (P=.02) were observed by the 6th clinic visit.
• Patients showed significant improvements in emotional role limitations (P=.04) and social functioning (P=.02).
• Weapon carrying was associated with higher trauma (P=.002) and depressive symptoms (P=.007).

Conclusions:

• The Trauma Recovery Clinic is successfully treating individuals with traumatic injuries.
• TRC services effectively engage a vulnerable, hard-to-reach patient population, indicating success in its implementation.