Date of this Version

7-2025

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Trauma is a significant yet under recognized factor in mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Without routine trauma screening, underlying issues may go undetected, leading to inadequate treatment. This quality improvement project aimed to increase the use of trauma-informed care by educating psychiatric providers on routine trauma screening using the Brief Trauma Questionnaire (BTQ). Conducted in an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Miami, Florida, the project included educational sessions and pre- and post-surveys assessing provider practices, confidence, and perceived barriers.

Pre-intervention findings revealed that although all providers acknowledged trauma as a potential contributor to mental health symptoms, only 25% felt confident conducting screenings, and 70% rarely screened unless patients self-disclosed trauma. The main barriers were lack of training and limited awareness of trauma-focused resources. Post-intervention, 100% of providers reported improved confidence in trauma screening, and 80% reported more consistent consideration of trauma during evaluations—up from 30% before the intervention. The perceived primary barrier shifted from lack of knowledge to concern about re-traumatization.

These findings indicate that brief, targeted education can enhance provider confidence and promote the integration of trauma screening in psychiatric care. This project aligns with trauma-informed care models by emphasizing safety, trust, and empowerment. For advanced nursing practice, the results highlight the importance of provider education in closing gaps in trauma identification and improving patient outcomes. Continued efforts are needed to support training, address provider concerns, and sustain trauma-informed practices in outpatient mental health settings.

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