"It was six weeks and a lifetime ago"-One mom's story of life in the PICU | Patient Centered Care and Trauma Informed Care for Pediatric Patients

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

"Turns out it was six weeks and a lifetime ago. It was the last time my husband and I slept under the same roof as our three kids; the last time, for that matter, my husband and I spent even five minutes in a room by ourselves; and the last time our 9-year-old daughter slept freely, unencumbered by tubes in her nose, IVs in her arms and the lifeline that now attaches her to a ventilator..."

Through the emotional roller coaster of what should have been a fun family vacation turned nightmare, this mom shares her worries, fears and a list of 8 things she learned while in the PICU with her daughter. Her list of things learned, while not written specifically for medical providers, highlights the need for trauma informed care from the parent/patient's point of view. Remembering that while there will always be the more vocal patients and families, assessing all families equally for traumatic stress reactions allows the quieter ones to speak up. Remembering to explain medical jargon to families helps them understand your "language" while you care for their child. Making sure to check in on the patients and families who are progressing or who don't have as "serious" a medical condition as another, because traumatic stress reactions are linked to the subjective experience, not the objective severity of the illness or injury. It's these simple, little aspects of care that often have the largest impact on your patients and families and their ability to heal.

What tips can you offer on incorporating trauma informed care practices to other medical providers?

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

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