The Trauma Recovery Clinic: Integrated Care to Complete a Pro-active Behavioral Health Service for Trauma Surgery Patients

Title: The Trauma Recovery Clinic: Integrated Care to Complete a Pro-active Behavioral Health Service for Trauma Surgery Patients


Abstract

Background

Trauma Recovery Clinic (TRC) was developed to meet the psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial needs of traumatically injured patients following discharge from a level one trauma center by drawing upon proven best practices. The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of clinic services and evaluate efficacy of these services to reduce symptoms of mental health conditions in patients treated at the TRC.

Methods

Patients with history of in-patient treatment for a physically-traumatic injury at this level one trauma center were approached and enrolled at initial TRC outpatient appointments. Measures collected data on both mental health, including the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), as well as health behaviors, including the Attitudes towards Guns scale and the Youth Behavior Risk Survey (questions about weapon carrying practices).

Results

A total of 80 patients were included in this study. Results demonstrate significant reduction in symptom burden among patients who remained engaged in treatment, and specifically among patients of color. No baseline differences were observed in PCL-C or PHQ-9 score. Across the first six treatment visits, Black patients experienced a decrease in PCL-C nearly 4 times greater than that of White patients (15.9 vs. 4.4, p=0.04). No difference was observed in change in PHQ-9 over treatment, by race (p >0.05). At baseline, patients who carried weapons had PCL-C scores approximately 15 points higher than peer participants (p< 0.0001); this difference resolved by treatment visit 6 (p=0.94).

Discussion

This evaluation of services at the recently-implemented Trauma Recovery Clinic demonstrated that the clinic is successfully treating individuals who have experienced traumatic injuries. More specifically, the clinic services are effectively engaging with a vulnerable, hard-to-reach patient population.