Lessons Learned from Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating Interventions for Workplace Trauma in Rural and Tribal Settings

Trauma exposure is ubiquitous in victim service professions, which are broadly defined here to include social and community service, criminal justice, and healthcare. As a result, individuals, and the trauma-informed organizations they work for, are often desperate to reduce the myriad of negative consequences associated with trauma exposure in the workplace. Unfortunately, using a trauma-informed approach to developing, implementing, and evaluating effective interventions is challenging. These difficulties are exponentiated in rural and tribal areas. The aim of this study is to provide practical information and recommendations based on nearly a decade of experiences studying trauma and victim services in both rural and tribal contexts. This study draws on qualitative interviews, focus groups, quantitative surveys, and randomized controlled trials with rural and tribal workers who engage with traumatized others or potentially traumatic materials. Five lessons are offered that highlight a variety of challenges that arise when developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions needed to mitigate the impacts of workplace trauma.