Implementing Trauma-Informed Training for Tobacco Use for Health Care Professionals in Two California Counties

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Health
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death, disproportionately affecting individuals with trauma histories.
• Existing tobacco cessation treatments often lack integration with trauma-informed care principles.
• Few training programs guide behavioral health providers in combining trauma-informed care with tobacco cessation support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a novel tobacco treatment module on behavioral health providers' practices.
• To assess the feasibility and perceived effectiveness of integrating trauma-informed principles into tobacco cessation interventions.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing trauma-informed tobacco treatment in community settings.

Main Methods:

• A tobacco treatment module was added to the Trauma, Addictions, Mental Health, and Recovery (TAMAR) training.
• Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with seven providers post-training.
• Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data.

Main Results:

• Providers found the module relevant and actionable, reporting practice changes like incorporating tobacco screening and mindfulness for cravings.
• Participants emphasized the importance of empathy, cultural humility, and non-judgment in trauma-informed cessation care.
• Barriers included time constraints and workflow rigidity, while facilitators included organizational support and leadership buy-in.

Conclusions:

• Integrating trauma-informed care into tobacco cessation training can enhance provider practices.
• Sustaining trauma-informed tobacco treatment necessitates organizational infrastructure, ongoing reinforcement, and practical application support.
• Curricula must align with community settings, and expanded training opportunities are crucial for providers serving trauma-affected populations.