Addressing adverse childhood experiences, trauma and resilience through interprofessional course development

ABSTRACT

National and international organizations are increasingly focused on interprofessional education in health-related fields to address complex and emerging health issues. One public health concern is the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). At one public university in Appalachia, faculty of nursing, public health, and social work collaborated to develop an interprofessional course at the undergraduate and graduate levels that focus on ACEs, trauma, and resiliency literature as well as interprofessional collaboration and evidence-based prevention and treatment. In this paper, the faculty detail the approach undertaken to develop this interprofessional course, lessons learnt and key resources.

KEYWORDS:

• Adverse childhood experiences
• ACEs
• trauma
• resiliency
• interprofessional education
• interprofessional practice
• nursing
• social work
• public health

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kellie Reed-Ashcraft

Kellie Reed-Ashcraft, Ph.D., MSW, is a Professor in the Department of Social Work at Appalachian State University.  Dr. Reed Ashcraft's current research interests include community-based participatory research with a local ACEs and resiliency community initiative; a study of ACEs and resiliency scores among helping professionals;' and study of the development, implementation and outcomes of an inter-professional trauma-informed practice course.  Other research and practice interests include program evaluation, needs assessments, policy analysis and advocacy, health and human services administration, community practice and rural practice.

Adam Hege

Adam Hege, Ph.D., MPA, is an Associate Professor and program director of the Public Health Program at Appalachian State University.  Dr. Hege's research interestes include health disparities and the underlying social and envronmental determinants of health.  Specifically, this includes food insecurity, adverse hcildhood experiences, access to care, and other factors related to quality of life.   Dr. Hege's teaching focuses on professional development in public health; and health policy, ethics, and law.

Elizabeth Fiske

Elizabeth Fiske, Ph.D., RN, CNE, is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs in the Department of Nursing at Appalachian State University.  Dr. Fiske's research interests include contemplative practice and pedagogy, self-efficacy, self-transcendence and stress reduction.  Dr. Fiske's clinical focus is Maternal/Child Health.

Kristin Harmon

Kristin Harmon, LCSW, MSW, is a Lecturer with the Department of Social Work at Appalachian State University.  Ms. Harmon's social work practice includes psychotherapy, trauma-informed care for first responders, medical social work, and hospice.  Ms. Harmon's teaching includes social work practice with individuals, adults, and families, and field seminar.

Jamie Glover

Jaime Glover, MSN, RN, formerly served as a clinical faculty member with the Department of Nursing at Appalachian State University.  Her clinical practice includes pediatric nursing.

Kayla Forliti

Ms. Kayla Forlitti, MSW, is a Spring 2020 graduate of the Master of Social Work Program at Appalachian State University.  Ms. Forlitti completed a concentration in individuals and families for her MSW degree.  She also served as a graduate assistant for 2 years with Dr. Reed-Ashcraft.