Applying the ORBIT Model to Address Medical Trauma in Youth with CF

eIAF Abstract: Youth with cystic fibrosis (CF) face substantial mental health challenges. However, we currently lack evidence about which mental health interventions ought to be considered gold standard care for youth with CF. In addition, while medical trauma (i.e., emotional and physiological reactions resulting from medical conditions and treatment) has been identified as a significant challenge and has informed the development of evidence-based interventions and resources in other chronically ill pediatric populations, only one pilot study has assessed medical trauma in youth with CF (25% reported significant medical trauma). Due to the unique challenges of CF, medical trauma may present differently compared to other chronic illness populations. Understanding the role of medical trauma in CF has implications for mental health interventions. We propose to initiate a line of research with a long-term goal of creating a new mental health intervention that will address the impact of medical trauma for youth with CF. We propose to apply the first phase of the ORBIT model for intervention development (i.e., a framework to guide the development of interventions for the management of chronic diseases): We will conduct a multi-site qualitative study design, in which we will recruit 50 children with CF (25 per recruitment site), and at least one caregiver per child to complete semi-structured interviews about their unique challenges related to CF, potentially traumatic experiences, and medical trauma symptoms. We will then conduct a second interview with individuals experiencing significant medical trauma to assess acceptability, barriers, and facilitators of intervention components and delivery. Results from the current study will be utilized to adapt and / or create a new intervention that will address the impact of medical trauma in youth with CF and employ the second phase of the ORBIT model: preliminary testing of the intervention.