Psychometric Evaluation of the Trauma-Informed Care Provider Assessment Tool.

The increasing recognition of adverse childhood experiences as a significant factor in adult health outcomes underscores the need for trauma-informed care (TIC) in healthcare settings. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the TIC Provider Assessment Tool (TIC-PAT) designed for primary care providers. The TIC-PAT aligns with the TIC Pyramid framework and assesses both universal trauma precautions and trauma-specific care. A total of 176 primary care providers in the United States completed the TIC-PAT through an anonymous online survey. Findings through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a unidimensional (one-factor) model, consolidating questions into a concise 10-item measure. This study contributes an efficient assessment tool for the provision of TIC by primary care providers in healthcare settings, promoting better patient-provider interactions and enhancing provider awareness of trauma's impact on health.

U.S. Physicians' Training and Experience in Providing Trauma-Informed Care in Clinical Settings.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a comprehensive approach that focuses on the whole individual. It acknowledges the experiences and symptoms of trauma and their impact on health. TIC prioritizes physical and emotional safety through a relationship of trust that supports patient choice and empowerment. It provides a safe and respectful healing environment that considers specific needs while promoting a greater sense of well-being, patient engagement, and partnership in the treatment process. Given the prevalence of trauma, this descriptive cross-sectional study examined the attitudes and perspectives of U.S. physicians (N = 179; 67% males; 84% White; 43% aged 56-65) in providing trauma-informed care using an anonymous 29-item online survey administered by Reaction Data. Findings showed that 16% (n = 18) of physicians estimated that >50% of their patients have a history of trauma. Commonly perceived barriers to providing TIC were resource/time/administrative constraints, provider stress, limited awareness of the right provider to refer patients who experienced trauma, and inadequate TIC emphasis in medical education/training. Expanding physicians' knowledge base of trauma through training and organizational policy/support is crucial in enhancing their TIC competence, particularly in caring for patients with complex care needs whose social determinants increase their risk of exposure to adverse experiences that carry lasting physical and psychological effects.