Postgraduate Course at DDW: Complete Clinical Updates for Today's Practice | May 2025-FROM TENSION TO TREATMENT_ THE ROLE OF TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IN PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In an informative seminar, Dr. Megan Riehl and Dr. Christina Joukowsky from the University of Michigan addressed the intersection of trauma and gastrointestinal (GI) health. Dr. Joukowsky emphasized the prevalence of trauma among patients with GI conditions like IBS and IBD, noting that such patients often experience increased discomfort and stress during medical procedures. She explained medical trauma and iatrogenic psychological harm, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed care, which is not the responsibility of a single provider but includes everyone in the healthcare setting. The presentation included practical strategies for incorporating trauma-informed care into clinical practice. These strategies involved routine trauma screening, fostering open communication, ensuring consent, and creating safe environments for patients. The presenters advised checking for signs of distress or dissociation during procedures and stressed post-procedure debriefing to improve patient satisfaction and aid recovery. The importance of adopting a patient-centered approach and understanding trauma's broad impacts on health and treatment compliance was highlighted. Attendees were encouraged to consider trauma-informed care as part of general practice rather than just for those diagnosed with PTSD, aiming for a safe and supportive experience for all patients. The session concluded with practical advice on finding trauma-informed mental health providers for patient referrals and discussed the steps needed to implement trauma-focused practices in healthcare settings.

Keywords

trauma-informed care

gastrointestinal health

IBS

IBD

patient-centered approach

medical trauma

trauma screening

healthcare setting

patient satisfaction

mental health providers