Trauma-Informed Care in Patients with a History of Medical Trauma

Although there is significant literature on the widespread prevalence and impact of traumatic events like adverse childhood events, medical trauma that can stem from experiencing a serious or chronic illness/diagnosis, adverse medical events, betrayal of trust by the individual healthcare professional or institution, or discrimination is frequently overlooked. Specifically, during fertility treatment, sources of medical trauma responses include but are not limited to transvaginal exams and ultrasounds, pregnancy loss, medical or surgical complications, and lab/medical errors. Given the significant health and other impacts of medical trauma including avoiding or dropping out of fertility treatment, it is imperative that fertility clinics provide a trauma-informed approach to care. This article reviews the four key assumptions and six principles of trauma-informed care highlighted by SAMHSA and provides practical strategies to apply the six principles of (1) safety, (2) trustworthiness and transparency, (3) peer support, (4) collaboration and mutuality, (5) empowerment, voice and choice, and (6) cultural, historical, and gender issues.