A Pilot Study of a Trauma Training for Healthcare Workers Serving Refugees in Greece: Perceptions of Feasibility of Task-Shifting Trauma Informed Care

ABSTRACT

Few studies to date have investigated trauma training programs for healthcare workers who serve refugees. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of a Train-the Trainer (TTT) seminar designed to bring knowledge of trauma-informed practices and task-shifting to healthcare workers charged to provide trauma informed care (TIC) for refugees in Greece. This study used a mixed-methods design, gathered survey data and qualitative descriptions of the barriers, facilitators, and perceived feasibility of task-shifting trauma screening and TIC interventions in healthcare settings that serve refugees. Thirty-three participants who attended a two-day TTT seminar completed a questionnaire, and 11 participants participated in two focus groups. Descriptive findings showed that healthcare workers reported satisfaction with knowledge gained after the TTT seminar. Qualitative findings indicated three main themes associated with the perceived feasibility of task-shifting TIC: a challenging work context; the relational stance; and broadening the conceptual map related to trauma. The findings suggest a TTT seminar may be a feasible method for knowledge dissemination on trauma and TIC in healthcare workers; however, additional training and supervision in TIC may be an important next-step in task-shifting TIC. Recommendations for supporting healthcare workers and integrating TIC into refugee services are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Train-the-Trainer model
• trauma-informed care
• refugees
• healthcare worker
• barriers

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the healthcare workers who contributed to the study and shared their experiences and reflections with us.

Disclosure statement

None of the authors had any financial or personal relationship with the companies whose employees served as research participants.

Ethical Standards and Informed Consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of California State University Long Beach Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Hellenic American University IRB, Greece and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the California State University Long Beach Research and Scholarly Activities Grant.