Abstract
The field of traumatic stress studies has developed rapidly over the course of the past two decades. A large body of data is now available regarding the prevalence of various forms of trauma and the personal and societal toll of traumatization. Numerous studies of the psychological impact of trauma have been undertaken, resulting in a preliminary understanding of a range of immediate and long-term posttraumatic reactions and conditions. These findings, in turn, have led to the development of a variety of interventions both initially and in the longer-term aftermath that are designed to prevent and ameliorate posttraumatic distress. At the present time, much of this information has not been incorporated into either the general undergraduate or graduate curricula and is particularly lacking in professional education. This is extremely unfortunate because professionals from many disciplines have an integral role in providing services to victims that, in turn, are essential to their ability to recover. Professionals require specific, focused knowledge about trauma. They also require training on the needs of victims and effective means of intervening with them in order to provide these necessary services. This paper is a call for the inclusion of traumatic stress studies across the relevant undergraduate and graduate curricula in general and into professional education, especially the medical and mental health professions.