What is Medical Trauma?

Medical trauma is a truama that occurs from direct contact with the medical setting, and develops through a complex interaction between the patient, medical staff, medical environment and the diagnostic and/or procedural experience that can have powerful psychological impacts due to the patient's unique interpretation of the event. (*1)

Heart 2 Hart Healthcare Solutions has been designed with the psychological welfare of the patient in mind, from the start of the medical experience to the end, whether it be for a chronic condition, accident, diagnosis,  or medical procedure. Regardless of the circumstances, anxiety is natural when coming to terms with a medical condition, acceptance of a surgical procedure, or where unexpected complications have occurred, causing recovery to be prolonged. If the prognosis is challenging, apprehension and anxiety may alternate in equal measures, meaning the balance between expectancy and fear can become overwhelming. Environmental, social and historical influences can also trigger unwelcome responses and having somebody to share those concerns with can be a huge relief, somebody who can listen impartially and who doesn’t minimise those anxieties that can seem frighteningly real in difficult circumstances. Symptoms similar to post traumatic stress, and post traumatic stress disorder can also occur, but what makes medical trauma so unique are the challenges felt when safety has been questioned in an environment that is traditionally meant to feel safe, and where repeated exposure to  this environment is necessary in order to to manage symptoms. This can lead to medical avoidance, hyper vigilance and many other symptoms, all related to what are known as the seven secondary crises; developmental, avocational, existential, relational, occupational, spiritual and intrapersonal. (*1)  The meaning we make from our medical trauma can directly impact how we see ourselves and our identity. Our identity is tied to how competent we feel (e.g. if we are good at something), that we are worthwhile, (that we matter), and accepted (that we belong), which all promote a positive self-concept. (*2) Losing any of these components can result in a change of identity which can be unfamiliar and frightening.

Many of us are conscious of the pressures on our NHS and our clinicians, lack of resources, staff sickness and shortages, and working hours that are often challenging. Heart 2 Hart Healthcare Solutions is currently aiming towards achieving collaborative relationships with our healthcare providers through communication and education; a trauma informed care approach.  In an ideal world, a trauma informed care approach to medical trauma would help prevent a deterioration in mental health, medical trauma and medical anxiety. This approach acknowledges that health care organizations and care teams need to have a complete picture of a patient’s life situation — past and present — in order to provide effective health care services with a healing orientation. Of course we know there is some excellent care out there, but wouldn’t it make sense if this was a universal approach adopted by all Health Boards?  Trauma-informed practices can potentially improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, and health outcomes, as well as patient and staff wellness. It can also help reduce avoidable care and excess costs for both the health care and social service sectors. (*3)   Education, collaboration and communication at all stages of the medical process between patients and clinicians can be instrumental in physiological and psychological healing.

“I cannot thank Colette enough nor recommend her services more highly……”

Colette is currently collaborating  with an American Professor and Clinical Psychotherapist Dr Michelle Flaum who has been carrying out her own research into medical trauma in the US for some years, resulting in many published articles, the first known published book for mental health and health care professionals, and successful integrative interventions being used within therapy and the healthcare environment.  Her second book , 'Treating Medical Trauma' will be available in early 2026, and in 2022 she developed the Certificate in Medical Trauma-Informed Care at Xavier University USA, which is the first training program of its kind world-wide, and which Colette completed in 2024.  Psychological intervention through an on-site or associated counselling service can help to calm the patient's anxieties and normalise the situation, enabling them to feel they are being treated holistically; both psychologically as well as physiologically.  Our intention is to form a collaborative hub of  diverse skilled professionals and adopt the US principals under Professor Flaum, that psychological interventions prior to surgery, as well as access to support during recovery  can  prevent long term development of post-traumatic symptoms and medical trauma.

(For more information on Dr. Michelle Flaum visit https://www.xavier.edu/counseling/directory/michelle-flaum)

(*1) (Flaum) Hall & Hall 2017

(*2) Hall 2006

*3 https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/

The greatest mistake physicians make is that they attempt to cure the body without attempting to cure the mind, yet the mind and body are one and should not be treated separately...........  Plato.

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