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In this thought-provoking episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Gaggino welcomes special guest Dr. Polly Y. Gipson Allen as they do a deep dive into the world of trauma-informed care and its impact on primary care settings. Reflecting on personal experiences and societal awakenings brought about by the pandemic, they shed light on the psychological, physical, and spiritual effects of racial trauma and discrimination. From trauma-informed care to enhancing organizational capacity, the duo explores the various strategies and policies that can be implemented to create a culture of soul and self-care not only in clinical facilities, but also in schools as well. Join them as they share insights on building resilience, integrating mental health support, and the role of integrated care models in providing holistic patient care. It is time to prioritize the mental wellbeing of our patients and students and ensure that they have access to the resources and support they need. Let us be the voice that advocates for school-based mental health services and screenings, because every child deserves a caring and nurturing environment where they can thrive and grow. Together, we can transform our primary care settings into spaces that heal not just the body, but also the soul.

[00:33 -13:07]  Trauma Prevalence and the 5 R's of Trauma Informed Care

• The 1st R:  Realizing the widespread impact of trauma and the potential paths for recovery
• The 2nd R: Recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma in patients and families
• The 3rd R:  Responding by integrating trauma knowledge into policies, practices, and procedures
• The 4th R:  Resisting re-traumatization within primary care settings
• The 5th R:  Promoting resilience and the ability to cope, adapt, and recover from trauma and stress

[13:08- 21:28]  Identifying Trauma in Primary Care Settings  

• Assign champions within the clinic to facilitate the implementation of trauma screenings.
• Ask a question like "Since the last time I saw you, has anything really scary or upsetting happened to you or your family?" to initiate the conversation on trauma.
• Conduct brief screenings that take around 5 to 10 minutes to identify traumatic exposure or stress symptoms.
• The purpose of universal screening is to guide clinical decision making and determine if further trauma assessment is required.

[21:29 -32:19]  Integrated Care Models

• Collaborating with clinical colleagues, behavioral health professionals, and social workers
• Warm handoff process for seamless care transitions
• Identifying primary care or behavioral health as the initiator of the brief screen
• Focusing on holistic well-being and integrating mental and physical health

[32:20 - 43:30]  Engaging the Community

• Organize focus groups or community events to gather input and feedback on improving care
• Collaborate with community members and leaders to form a planning committee for implementing changes
• Address barriers to access such as transportation or lack of resources
• Leverage community traumatic events to bring people together, raise awareness, and promote community support and resilience

[43:31 - 47:45]  Closing segment Takeaways

Links to resources mentioned on the show

• Resources:
• https://www.nctsn.org/
• https://seekwellbeing.org/