Interventions in Medical Settings

Injuries and illnesses and their associated medical care are among the most frequent potentially traumatic events (PTEs) experienced by children worldwide. Following medical PTEs, up to 30% of children and parents develop persistent and impairing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Impairment related to PTSS can be especially problematic in medically-involved children: PTSS is associated with poorer adherence, health-related quality of life, functional impairment, and greater use of healthcare services. Medical settings can be an ideal place to identify children and families who are experiencing emotional difficulties related to medical diagnoses and care. Identification of PTSS during medical care allows for providers to make timely referrals and to begin interventions. In healthcare settings, a trauma-informed approach can be essential for the ethical provision of pediatric medical care. Taking a trauma-informed approach to medical care, interventions, and screening can be integrated into standard care and offered consistently to meet each child’s and family’s needs. Based on these needs, interventions can be implemented at universal, targeted, and/or indicated levels across the peri-trauma, acute medical care, and ongoing care or discharge from care phases of medical PTEs. More research is necessary to establish the most efficacious treatments for those children who are experiencing significant PTSS related to the medical events.