Improving attitudes toward trauma-informed care in the neonatal intensive care unit through comprehensive multi-disciplinary education

J Perinatol. 2024 May;44(5):650-658. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-01897-4. Epub 2024 Feb 21.

Abstract

Objective: This study measured staff understanding and integration of trauma-informed care following comprehensive education.

Study design: This mixed method design used the validated Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC) scale and open-ended survey questions via REDCap optional surveys. Trauma-informed care education was made available to staff members in a level IV NICU. Pre- and post-intervention ARTIC scores were compared and post-intervention REDCap surveys were analyzed.

Result: There were 245 multi-disciplinary NICU team members who completed the ARTIC survey before and/or after the educational intervention; and 764 REDCap surveys were completed throughout the study time. ARTIC scores increased from pre- to post-training both for participants with data at both time points (0.5 SD mean increase) and among those with data at only one time point (0.4 SD mean increase). Content analysis of the REDCap survey corroborated the ARTIC results.

Conclusion: System-wide trauma-informed education can achieve measurable effect in a NICU setting.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
  • Male
  • Patient Care Team
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy