Implementing trauma informed care practices to strengthen collaborative cultures
South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Local Health District
Aim of the project was to have a positive impact on consumers, clinicians and the clinical environment by embedding trauma-informed care principles into clinical practice (through identification, support and better collaboration with consumers).
Service targeted
Mental Health Services, SESLHD
How was the project embedded within practice?
- Established of a project working group who had clear aims and objectives.
- Disseminated pre-surveys to determine clinician’s current knowledge and use of trauma-informed care principles.
- Educational intervention to:
- increase clinician understanding of the consumer’s experience of trauma
- increase understanding that some care practices can re-traumatise
- encourage clinical practices that assist in making a consumer to feel safer
- Used the 5 principles of trauma-informed care as evidenced in the literature.
- Disseminated post-surveys measuring success of the implementation of trauma-informed care practices into clinical practice.
What worked well?
- Safety, Consumer Wellness and Care Plans were reported post-implementation of being completed collaboratively with the consumer 80% of time.
- Collaboration has had a positive impact for consumers, clinicians and the clinical environment.
- Information exchange between consumer and clinician strengthened consumer and clinician motivation.