Trauma-informed care implementation among nurses in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Nursing Education
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Traumatic events are common, necessitating trauma-informed care (TIC) in healthcare.
• Limited research exists on nurses' preparedness and implementation factors for TIC.
• This study assessed nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding TIC, and its enablers and barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning trauma-informed care (TIC).
• To identify the enablers and barriers affecting the implementation of TIC in clinical settings.
• To provide evidence for improving TIC education and practice among nurses.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 291 nurses from two tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
• Stratified random sampling was employed for participant selection.
• Data were collected using the KAP of the Trauma-Informed Practice Scale and Barriers and Enablers to Trauma-Informed Care Implementation measures.

Main Results:

• Only 56.4% of nurses had received prior education on trauma-informed care.
• Nurses demonstrated moderate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding TIC.
• External structural factors were primary barriers, while internal services and staff roles were key enablers.
• Perceptions of enablers and barriers significantly predicted nurses' KAP, explaining substantial variance.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear need to improve nurses' knowledge and application of trauma-informed care.
• Multilevel interventions, encompassing organizational support and structural resources, are crucial for effective TIC implementation.
• Enhancing nurses' capacity in TIC is essential for improving patient outcomes in trauma-affected populations.