Trauma-Informed Approach
Trauma-informed care acknowledges the need to understand a patient’s life experiences. A trauma-informed system will not only hold you accountable for your actions, but also give you space and time to process what happened to you. It creates a safe environment, builds relationships and connectedness, and supports and teaches emotional regulations.
Core principles of a trauma-informed approach in a healthcare setting include:
- Patient Empowerment: Using individuals’ strengths to empower them in the development of their treatment
- Choice: Informing patients regarding treatment options so they can choose the options they prefer
- Collaboration: Maximizing collaboration among health care staff, patients and their families in organizational and treatment planning
- Safety: Developing health care settings and activities that ensure patients’ physical and emotional safety
- Trustworthiness: Creating clear expectations with patients about what proposed treatments entail, who will provide services and how care will be provided