A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers
Abstract Background Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a framework that recognizes the pervasive impact of trauma, aiming to enhance both patient outcomes and provider well-being. Given the high prevalence of trauma among individuals seeking healthcare, it is essential for healthcare providers (HCPs) to...
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12568-1 |
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| author | Dana C. Ross Kaniz Fatema Farhat Negar Sayrafizadeh Annie K. Truuvert Louloua Ashikhusein Waliji Mahum Musheer Julie Blair Lesley Hughes Sue MacRae Simone N. Vigod Sophie Soklaridis Nancy McCallum |
| author_facet | Dana C. Ross Kaniz Fatema Farhat Negar Sayrafizadeh Annie K. Truuvert Louloua Ashikhusein Waliji Mahum Musheer Julie Blair Lesley Hughes Sue MacRae Simone N. Vigod Sophie Soklaridis Nancy McCallum |
| author_sort | Dana C. Ross |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a framework that recognizes the pervasive impact of trauma, aiming to enhance both patient outcomes and provider well-being. Given the high prevalence of trauma among individuals seeking healthcare, it is essential for healthcare providers (HCPs) to be trauma informed. However, standardized TIC curricula for training healthcare staff are lacking. This study assessed perceptions towards TIC among multidisciplinary HCPs, patients, and leadership staff at two urban hospitals in Canada. Methods This mixed-methods prospective cross-sectional study employed Kern’s six-step approach for curriculum development. A needs assessment was conducted via an online questionnaire for HCPs and semi-structed interviews with individuals from the three participant groups: HCPs, patients, and leadership staff. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding TIC. Semi-structured interviews explored perspectives on TIC, including curriculum priorities and potential implementation barriers. Findings informed the development of a virtual TIC curriculum, with iterative feedback collected to refine and assess its acceptability. Results Among 106 HCP questionnaire respondents including Medical Doctors, Social Workers and Registered Nurses, 96 (90.6%) identified as women, and 97 (91.5%) as providers of direct patient care. Despite 93 (87.7%) having prior TIC education, 77 (72.6%) reported low confidence in applying TIC knowledge in clinical practice. Key perceived challenges to TIC training implementation included time constraints and lack of standardization across disciplines. A multimedia, self-paced course was the preferred solution. Thematic analysis of interviews with 28 participants (10 HCPs, 10 patients, 8 leadership staff) revealed six major themes: healthcare interactions, TIC implementation, training needs, system level barriers, curriculum preferences, and systems level improvements. Participants underscored the risk of re-traumatization to patients in healthcare settings without TIC and emphasized the need for universal TIC training for all staff. Conclusion This study revealed a strong interest in a TIC course for multidisciplinary HCPs, supports the translation of knowledge into practice and incorporates a focus on cultural humility. Integrating insights from key stakeholders in this needs assessment phase resulted in the development of a TIC curriculum inclusive of diverse voices and viewpoints and strengthened the understanding of contextual factors that will support effective TIC implementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-db6afa1d7b9c42ac8f3aa817f52eaa9c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-db6afa1d7b9c42ac8f3aa817f52eaa9c2025-08-20T04:01:24ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-03-0125111510.1186/s12913-025-12568-1A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providersDana C. Ross0Kaniz Fatema Farhat1Negar Sayrafizadeh2Annie K. Truuvert3Louloua Ashikhusein Waliji4Mahum Musheer5Julie Blair6Lesley Hughes7Sue MacRae8Simone N. Vigod9Sophie Soklaridis10Nancy McCallum11Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoWomen’s College HospitalWomen’s College HospitalWomen’s College HospitalWomen’s College HospitalWomen’s College HospitalWomen’s College HospitalWomen’s College HospitalWomen’s College HospitalDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoAbstract Background Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a framework that recognizes the pervasive impact of trauma, aiming to enhance both patient outcomes and provider well-being. Given the high prevalence of trauma among individuals seeking healthcare, it is essential for healthcare providers (HCPs) to be trauma informed. However, standardized TIC curricula for training healthcare staff are lacking. This study assessed perceptions towards TIC among multidisciplinary HCPs, patients, and leadership staff at two urban hospitals in Canada. Methods This mixed-methods prospective cross-sectional study employed Kern’s six-step approach for curriculum development. A needs assessment was conducted via an online questionnaire for HCPs and semi-structed interviews with individuals from the three participant groups: HCPs, patients, and leadership staff. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding TIC. Semi-structured interviews explored perspectives on TIC, including curriculum priorities and potential implementation barriers. Findings informed the development of a virtual TIC curriculum, with iterative feedback collected to refine and assess its acceptability. Results Among 106 HCP questionnaire respondents including Medical Doctors, Social Workers and Registered Nurses, 96 (90.6%) identified as women, and 97 (91.5%) as providers of direct patient care. Despite 93 (87.7%) having prior TIC education, 77 (72.6%) reported low confidence in applying TIC knowledge in clinical practice. Key perceived challenges to TIC training implementation included time constraints and lack of standardization across disciplines. A multimedia, self-paced course was the preferred solution. Thematic analysis of interviews with 28 participants (10 HCPs, 10 patients, 8 leadership staff) revealed six major themes: healthcare interactions, TIC implementation, training needs, system level barriers, curriculum preferences, and systems level improvements. Participants underscored the risk of re-traumatization to patients in healthcare settings without TIC and emphasized the need for universal TIC training for all staff. Conclusion This study revealed a strong interest in a TIC course for multidisciplinary HCPs, supports the translation of knowledge into practice and incorporates a focus on cultural humility. Integrating insights from key stakeholders in this needs assessment phase resulted in the development of a TIC curriculum inclusive of diverse voices and viewpoints and strengthened the understanding of contextual factors that will support effective TIC implementation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12568-1eHealthOnlineVirtualAsynchronousPTSDTrauma |
| spellingShingle | Dana C. Ross Kaniz Fatema Farhat Negar Sayrafizadeh Annie K. Truuvert Louloua Ashikhusein Waliji Mahum Musheer Julie Blair Lesley Hughes Sue MacRae Simone N. Vigod Sophie Soklaridis Nancy McCallum A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers BMC Health Services Research eHealth Online Virtual Asynchronous PTSD Trauma |
| title | A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers |
| title_full | A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers |
| title_fullStr | A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers |
| title_full_unstemmed | A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers |
| title_short | A cross-sectional needs assessment for a trauma-informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers |
| title_sort | cross sectional needs assessment for a trauma informed care curriculum for multidisciplinary healthcare providers |
| topic | eHealth Online Virtual Asynchronous PTSD Trauma |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12568-1 |
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