Enhancing trauma-informed care preparation through life story work

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Medical Education
• Psychology

Background:

• Trauma is prevalent among older adults, affecting their health and healthcare experiences.
• Training in trauma-informed care (TIC) is crucial for health professions trainees.
• Existing training methods may not fully equip trainees to address trauma disclosures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the My Life, My Story (MLMS) program in enhancing TIC competencies among health professions trainees.
• To assess changes in trainees' confidence in responding to trauma disclosures after participating in MLMS.
• To explore patient experiences of trauma and stress within the MLMS framework.

Main Methods:

• Health professions trainees (N=74) participated in MLMS interviews, engaging in life-story work with patients.
• A post-experience survey assessed trainees' confidence in responding to trauma disclosures and their perceptions of patient experiences.
• Qualitative comments were analyzed to identify impacts on TIC competencies.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in trainees' confidence in responding to trauma disclosures was observed post-MLMS participation (p < .001).
• During interviews, 36.5% of patients disclosed traumatic events, and 56.8% disclosed stressful events, with many framing them positively, demonstrating resilience.
• Qualitative feedback indicated MLMS improved recognition of trauma expressions and response insights.

Conclusions:

• Life-story work, exemplified by the MLMS program, serves as an effective tool for enhancing trauma-informed care competencies in health professions trainees.
• The MLMS program positively impacts trainees' confidence and provides valuable insights into patient experiences of trauma and resilience.
• Further training and resources in responding to trauma disclosures are desired by a significant portion of trainees, suggesting a need for continued educational development.