Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Medical Home: Family Centered Care.

Overview. Trauma-informed care. (TIC) is a framework that requires change to organizational practices and policies[1] that reflect an understanding of the widespread impact of trauma and potential paths for recovery, and actively seek to prevent re-traumatization.[2] In healthcare, TIC usually includes universal trauma precautions and practice changes for patients with a known trauma history. Universal trauma precautions emphasize patient-centered communication and care, often with careful screening for trauma,[3] safe clinical environments (e.g., quiet waiting areas), and shared decision making for all patients.[4] Under a trauma-informed clinical approach, providers collaborate across disciplines, use streamlined referral pathways, and remain aware of their own trauma histories and stress levels when they know patients have experienced trauma.[3, 4] TIC can also be implemented in oral health settings.[5]

Evidence. Expert Opinion. Strategies backed by expert opinion are recommended by professionals and are aligned with established frameworks. These approaches are consistent with field observations and national guidelines, but lack formal validation. Implement with robust evaluation to confirm impact.

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.

Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:

• Training attendance records
• Pre-and post- training assessments of providers
• Provider reported practice change data

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

• Patient Experience of Care. This study improves individuals' perceptions, feelings, and satisfaction with the healthcare services they receive.
• Quality of Care. This strategy promotes the degree to which healthcare services meet established standards aimed at achieving optimal health outcomes.
• Utilization. This strategy improves the extent to which individuals and communities use available healthcare services.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Direct Care (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Individual/Family-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework (see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).