Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Nursing
Advisor
Mary Martin
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for research and discussions about trauma, trauma-informed care (TIC), and care delivery processes. Little is known about how nurses recognize, assess, treat, and support patients who experience trauma although knowledge of TIC is important for delivering care to trauma survivors. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore nurses’ perceptions of TIC principles and their experiences delivering care to patients with psychological trauma. Harris and Fallot’s TIC theory was used to guide the study. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit ten nurses for individual semi structured interviews using open-ended questions conducted via Zoom. Interviews continued until saturation was reached. Thematic analysis included identifying codes and categories after which four themes emerged to answer the research questions. The four resulting themes were: (a) helpful tool, (b) education and collaboration, (c) avoiding retraumatization, and (d) increased care quality. Results showed that regardless of workplace challenges including TIC implementation, follow-up, and clinicians’ background, TIC enables clinicians to provide appropriate trauma care and ensures the patient is an equal participant in the care process. Results also showed that nurses were concerned about preventing retraumatization even when they were at risk of experiencing trauma or reliving traumatic experiences themselves. Social change may be promoted by implementing policies that include TIC training for all nurses and providers. Future studies are needed to implement TIC in nursing curriculums and evaluate the effect on nursing outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Vinton, Ade J., "Nurses’ Experiences With Trauma-Informed Care in Patients With Psychological Trauma" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12222.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12222
