Protecting the 'Golden Cocoon' | Patient Centered Care and Trauma Informed Care for Pediatric Patients

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

Pat Mastors shares her own family’s experience in a compelling and thoughtful post on the Islands of Excellence blog. Her story is a brilliant example of “trauma-informed care”and the role of the family.

What makes something traumatic? Pain, fear, helplessness are a big part of it. Every step of the way, this young woman’s parents reminded her health care providers that they could make this really difficult time a little bit better – that their actions could make it a little less scary / painful / difficult. This is exactly what we mean when we define trauma-informed care as “minimizing potentially traumatic aspects of medical events and the treatment”.

When we are patients (at any age) we need our family – and the professionals taking care of us – to help protect and preserve the “golden cocoon” around us. (After you read her post, I bet you will never forget this great image!)

How do our usual procedures make it easier or harder for providers to help patients and parents protect that “golden cocoon”?

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

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