Sawicki, Kennedy
(2024)
Public Health Genetics Professionals' Knowledge of and Perceived Barriers to Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Newborn Screening.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
Children with genetic conditions and special healthcare needs (SHCN) are at increased risk of experiencing trauma compared to children without SHCN because they often experience additional stressors that make adverse events more likely. These potentially traumatic experiences may start in the newborn screening (NBS) phase, which is often a family’s first introduction into the medical system. NBS professionals are often in an important position to both prevent trauma as well as identify and support individuals who need it. However, there is little information on implementing trauma-informed care (TIC) approaches into NBS clinics. It is important to understand NBS professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to implementing TIC in this setting.
This study is part of a larger study by the geneTIC (Genetics Care that is Trauma-Informed) workgroup of the Midwest Genetics Network. An online survey was distributed to genetics providers and included questions from the “Trauma-Informed Care Provider Survey v2.0” to assess knowledge, opinions, self-rated competence, recent use of TIC approaches, and barriers of use. Data from a subset of respondents who were NBS professionals was analyzed for this report in SPSS for descriptive and frequency statistics.
Results indicate that NBS professionals have knowledge about trauma and TIC approaches, favorable opinions towards TIC, and varying levels of competence in providing TIC. They have utilized some specific TIC approaches and recognize that addressing trauma is a part of their professional role. Barriers identified that prevent the implementation of TIC approaches include time constraints, lack of training, and provider stress/distress. Respondents suggested various resources needed for them to be able to implement TIC into their clinics including webinars, education for all staff, and social work support. These findings will inform future resource development for genetics professionals, as well as with protocol design and implementation strategies for NBS clinics.
The public health significance of this project is that children with genetic conditions and their families are at a greater risk of experiencing trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Because of this, it is important that genetics and NBS providers implement TIC approaches to prevent incidents of trauma and re-traumatization in the genetics clinic setting.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Sala-Hamrick, Kelsey J | ksalaham@mphi.org | UNSPECIFIED | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Durst, Andrea L | adurst@pitt.edu | adurst | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Coulter, Robert WS | robert.ws.coulter@pitt.edu | robert.ws.coulter | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Edick, Mathew J | mjedick@mphi.org | UNSPECIFIED | UNSPECIFIED |
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| Date: |
14 May 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Number of Pages: |
94 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Public Health Genetics |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, genetics, newborn screening |
| Date Deposited: |
14 May 2024 19:49 |
| Last Modified: |
14 May 2024 19:49 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/46140 |
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