Trauma-Informed Care: A Therapeutic Approach in Communication

As medical providers, it is crucial to use therapeutic communication when building relationships with patients. Bias, stigma, and judgment often manifest through a provider’s body language and choice of words, exacerbating patient trauma and leading to health disparities. Trauma-informed care (TIC) addresses these issues by emphasizing respect, compassion, and empathy. TIC has been extensively studied in high-income regions such as Australia, Europe and the United States, but its application in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Kenya, is less understood. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of nurses working in a rural community clinic in Chogoria, Kenya. Objectives were achieved through pre- and post-workshop surveys and exploratory qualitative interviews conducted after an in-service workshop on Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). Healthcare workers demonstrated a 3% increase in knowledge, attitudes, and skills in postsurvey results following an in-service workshop on TIC. Analysis of focus group narrative data revealed three themes: relevance, cultural stigma and bias, and additional needs in the community. TIC’s therapeutic communication helps to mitigate biases and stigma, foster empathy, and address patient trauma, ultimately reducing health disparities. The findings of this study indicate further research regarding TIC should be conducted in LMIC to identify ways in which providers can enhance the quality of health care delivery and promote holistic healing. Keywords: adult trauma, adverse childhood events, harm reduction, trauma-informed care