Nurses' competencies, barriers, and experience in trauma-informed care: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Trauma-Informed Care

Background:

• Chronic pain presents a significant public health challenge in Saudi Arabia.
• Trauma-informed care (TIC) is crucial for effective patient engagement and reducing re-traumatization.
• Empirical data on nurses' TIC competencies in chronic pain management within Saudi Arabia is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nurses' knowledge, opinions, competencies, barriers, and practices related to TIC in chronic pain management.
• To examine the association between these factors and overall TIC competence.
• To identify variations in TIC competencies across different nursing work settings.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 272 nurses in the Jazan region.
• The TIC Provider Survey was used to collect data on competencies, barriers, and experiences.
• Multiple regression analysis examined the relationship between nursing experience and TIC-related factors.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in knowledge, opinions, and competencies were found across work settings (p < 0.001).
• Nurses in mental health and operating room settings showed higher TIC competence; pediatric nurses reported lower scores.
• Knowledge (β=0.32), positive opinions (β=0.28), and fewer barriers (β=0.19) significantly predicted TIC competence, explaining 52% of the variance.

Conclusions:

• Nurses' TIC competencies in chronic pain management vary by work setting.
• Knowledge, opinions, and practices are key determinants of TIC competence.
• Targeted training, curriculum integration, and institutional support are essential for enhancing trauma-informed practices and patient care.