Trauma-Informed Care Approach in Family Practice: Steps to Implementing

Abstract

Traumatic experiences can have a lasting effect on children’s mental and physical well-being. The short- and long-term benefits of addressing trauma earlier in life is evidenced in the literature. Trauma-informed care (TIC) is the framework used to guide those who seek to help others who have experienced trauma in life. TIC has long been utilized by multiple disciplines such as mental health care, social services, and substance use services with success. Even with the present evidence, TIC is underutilized in the care of children in the family practice primary care setting. Providers cite lack of knowledge on how to address trauma and how to implement a trauma-informed care approach with children in the primary care family practice setting. The implementation of TIC in family practice primary care, where many children are cared for, has the potential to impact the health outcomes of children in the short term and as they move into adulthood. TIC helps support children and family’s mental and physical well-being, thus reducing much suffering. This article presents best practices to implementing a universal TIC approach in family practice primary care setting in a step-by-step approach.