Trauma-Informed Care Training at Sanford Health

Even as recently as ten years ago, there was no education for most doctors regarding taking into account any previous trauma of patients in their care. Since most doctors trained more than ten years ago, many doctors currently practicing are unfamiliar with trauma-informed care. Why does it matter? As an OBGyN specialist, I have always known that the subject of Women’s Health can be sensitive for anyone, but especially women affected by previous negative experiences. I have been trained to collect a thorough medical history, perform an accurate physical exam, and offer tests that will most likely give the “correct answer” to the concerns of the patient. But for women who have experienced trauma, this method can unintentionally do more harm than good.

What I did not understand was the prevalence of trauma in our society. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 50% of women of all ages and 60% of men have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Furthermore, just the act of trying to navigate the healthcare system with a complex condition can cause medical trauma. What do I mean?

I have met women who have been to ten or more doctors for a condition before they see me.  Their symptoms may not fit the picture of a classic diagnosis, the treatments they were given may not have helped; they are suffering and frustrated. These women sometimes already feel dismissed and defensive before the visit even starts. While I may not always find “the answer” or “the cure” or even the correct diagnosis in some complicated patients, I want to do much better.

My first step was to call my brother, Erik.

Erik Anderson is a clinically licensed Social Worker at Sioux Falls Psychological who is also pursuing his doctorate in Professional Counseling with a specialization in Trauma, Grief, and Loss. With the full support of Sanford Health, I was able to schedule Erik to give an in-person training on trauma-informed care.

While our father is an OBGyN specialist himself, our mother was a psychologist. We definitely followed in their caregiving footsteps.

“My passion for care of the patient took a slightly different route than a medical model but the mental toll that patients can experience never left me,” Andersond said. “These clients cannot help what they have experienced and the standard interaction geared toward those who may not have the lasting scars of trauma may lead to a continued trauma and the cycle repeating itself through no fault of doctor or patient.”

Trauma-informed care is relatively new, and focuses on providing safety and giving the patient more choices. It also brings in the whole team at the office – from the receptionists to the clinic managers – to provide a safe experience for each patient.

Erik explained, “I fell in love with the comprehensive nature of the model. It is composed of developing safety for the patient as well as trustworthiness and transparency. It also centers on patient collaboration – developing empowerment and choice in interactions with the patient.”

We are excited to bring these areas into focus and shift the power back to the patients who may not experience this through their trauma background. Doing this has been linked to better outcomes for patients and medical staff alike. The collaboration and integration of the client inspire us to dream about what a medical team can accomplish for the whole of the body to heal.

It is our sincerest hope that after this training the staff and I can offer the best possible care to all people and adjust for each person’s trauma. As patient care evolves and improves, we encourage all patients who feel comfortable to let their provider know if they have had difficult experiences in their past to allow for a more comprehensive healthcare experience. //