New animation explains what trauma-informed healthcare is and the evidence for implementation in the UK
9 February 2023
A new animation, co-produced by researchers at the University of Bristol, explains what a trauma-informed approach in healthcare is and how UK healthcare organisations can become trauma-informed to prevent re-traumatisation in services and improve experiences and outcomes for all.
The four-minute video tells the stories of Sophie and Saida, both of whom carry traumatic experiences from the past, which shape their health and behavior and put them at risk of re-traumatisation in health services.
Their stories are followed by a summary of findings from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded TAP CARE Study, which reviewed evidence of the effectiveness of trauma-informed approaches to healthcare and identified key components for organisational change.
The animation was co-produced with patient and professional stakeholders, Floating Harbour Studios, and The Survivors Trust, a national umbrella organisation for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK.
Dr Natalia Lewis, Senior Research Fellow in Primary Care at the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol, who led the TAP CARE study said: “We are delighted to launch this animation today and hope that it helps healthcare professionals, policy makers and members of the public learn about evidence for the effectiveness of trauma-informed healthcare and necessary conditions for implementing it in the UK.
“Psychological trauma occurs because of childhood maltreatment, domestic abuse, community violence, and social injustice. We know that many patients and healthcare professionals have experienced multiple traumas. If the prevalence and impacts of trauma are not addressed, services can re-traumatise both patients and staff.
“A trauma-informed approach is an organisational change programme that aims to prevent re-traumatisation and improve experiences and outcomes for patients and staff. Many UK policies and guidelines recommend trauma-informed transformation in healthcare organisations. Our next step is to work with GP practices to explore the barriers and enablers to starting a trauma-informed organisational change. We will report on the findings next year.”
Fay Maxted, CEO of The Survivors Trust, said: “We were so pleased to work with Dr Lewis and the TAP CARE team on this crucial project, and to be able to launch the animation during National Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
“There is a lot of talk about being trauma-informed and working in a trauma-informed way, but as the TAP CARE Study found, there is generally poor understanding of what it actually means or what needs to happen to support trauma-informed practice.
“Despite this, there is growing evidence of the benefits for both patients and healthcare staff in adopting trauma-informed principles. The TAP CARE Study really brings home the importance of trauma-informed care and what is needed for effective implementation.”
The Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC) at the University of Bristol is a leading centre for primary care research in the UK, one of nine forming the NIHR School for Primary Care Research. It sits within Bristol Medical School, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for population health research and teaching. Follow on Twitter: @capcbristol
About The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation for specialist voluntary sector rape and sexual abuse support services in the UK and Ireland. We have over 120 Member Agencies who provide a range of services for women, men, children and young people, their families and loved ones. Our vision is for a society where services for survivors are trauma-informed and accessible according to need. Survivors and their partners, parents, families and supporters have a right to support and justice can access the right service for them at the right time, free of charge, and according to need.
We provide organisational support and representation for our Member Agencies. We run an accredited diploma for Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Practitioners and a range of CPD accredited workshops for professionals and survivors.
We provide a national freephone helpline and livechat service for victims and survivors – 08088 010818 – and survivors can use our website to find details of support services in their area https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/find-support. Our Resource website offers a wealth of information, survivor videos and practical self-help- tips for survivors, supporters and anyone who wants to learn more about the impact of sexual violence and abuse: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/tst-resources
Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.
NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.
