About
2nd Trauma
History and Findings
Several years ago Harry Teter, Executive Director of the American Trauma
Society, began hearing from consumers and professionals that family members
were not always receiving the sensitivity and compassion needed to cope
with the trauma suffered by a loved one. ATS studies revealed that trauma
family members often suffered needless emotional stresses when not helped
to cope adequately. Emergency and trauma team members report making more
mistakes when understaffed. Some nurses have burned out on critical care
work. ATS has learned a good deal about the problems interfering with optimal
emotional care of trauma family members and the burnout of critical care
staff.
The following are among the factors that care interfere
with optimal emotional care of trauma family members:
- The shortage of critical care nurses, physicians and others.
- The elimination or serious reductions in hospital social work or chaplaincy
programs due to hospital budgetary concerns.
- The relative lack of professional training of critical care professionals
in understanding and responding to the immediate emotional and communications
needs of the family during trauma care.
- The relative lack of attention to the emotional needs of emergency
professionals who must cope with critical incidents and chronic stress.
Actions Taken by ATS from 2000-2003
- Studied the literature about family emotional needs during trauma
care.
- Hired a consultant to help organize the 2nd Trauma program.
- Mobilized 2nd Trauma tasks forces to help with initial teaching content.
- Studied the literature about the mental health needs of critical
care staff.
- Conducted research about the tasks/needs of trauma staff members.
- Conducted workshops/case conferences for nurses, physicians, social
workers, chaplains and pre-hospital professionals in PA, CA, and MO.
- Conducted focus groups about trauma staff needs in MD, DC, and VA.
- Organized a national panel on 2nd Trauma practices in pediatrics.
- Organized a national panel on the emotional needs of critical care
staff.
- Received federal funds from SAMHSA, EMSC and NHTSA.
Actions Planned for 2003
- Present the 2nd Trauma Program at the Annual Meeting of ATS in April.
- Completion of stress research; consider new research collaborations.
- Present workshops in PA, MS and other sites being considered.
- Organize train-the- trainer and skill workshops for ATS members/others.
- Write two articles/manuscripts for professional publication.
- Other projects as the needs of ATS members come to our attention.
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