A Pilot Survey of Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy Providers’ Confidence, Attitudes, Barriers, and Education Regarding Trauma-Informed Care

Abstract

Aim

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a strengths-based organizational approach which recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma on an individual’s neurological, sensorimotor, and emotional responses and development. There is limited research on pediatric occupational therapy providers’ (OTPs) and physical therapy providers’ (PTPs) perceptions on incorporating TIC into their practice. This pilot study aims to describe the confidence, attitudes, barriers, and education of pediatric OTPs and PTPs regarding TIC.

Method

OTPs and PTPs (n = 87) working in pediatric settings in the U.S. completed an electronic survey regarding their perceptions of TIC.

Results

OTPs reported higher confidence in TIC compared to PTPs. Most participants reported favorable attitudes toward TIC, yet no statistical significance was identified between the two professions’ overall attitudes toward TIC. Collectively, participants reported lack of time and training as barriers. There was a statistically significant difference between how the two professions rated competency, training, and concern over clients’ retraumatization. There was significant association between years of professional experience and TIC education.

Conclusion

Preliminary findings indicate an overall agreement of OTPs and PTPs with principles of TIC and common barriers to TIC practice. There are implications to further integrate opportunities for TIC training into foundational education and professional practice.

Keywords:

• Children
• trauma
• trauma informed care

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Emily E. Morrison, Victoria Thompson, and Olivia Renaud for their assistance as occupational therapy student researchers at Maryville University and their efforts throughout the IRB and data collection process; and Hisako Matsuo, PhD of Saint Louis University for her shared expertise during data analysis. The authors would also like to thank all OT and PT professionals who completed the survey for this project.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, JB, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Jessica Barreca

Jessica Barreca, PT, DPT, PhD has 20+ years of working with children in outpatient, early intervention, and school settings. She is currently the Community Site Coordinator in the Center for Interprofessional Education & Research and an adjunct faculty instructor PT. Her research interests center around collaborative teaming practices, trauma informed care and policies supporting kids with disabilities and their families.

Ashley Wagner

Ashley Wagner, OTD, OTR/L is the director of occupational therapy for FamilyForward's Developmental Trauma Center. Her research and clinical expertise focuses on work with children who have experienced trauma. She is also passionate about professional ethics and the overlap between non-maleficence, inclusion, and health equity in relation to communities who experience historical and cultural trauma.