Academic Journal
Understanding the gaps in mental health services for trauma patients at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder.
| Τίτλος: | Understanding the gaps in mental health services for trauma patients at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | King BM; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO. Electronic address: brendan.king@cuanschutz.edu., Perry GC; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO., Vargas L; Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO; Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO., McCarthy VE; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO; Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO; Surgical Outcomes and Applied Research, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO., Velopulos CG; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO; Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO., Myers QWO; Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO; Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO; Surgical Outcomes and Applied Research, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO. |
| Πηγή: | Surgery [Surgery] 2026 Aug; Vol. 196, pp. 110323. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 May 22. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Mosby Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0417347 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1532-7361 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00396060 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Surgery Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: St. Louis, MO : Mosby Original Publication: St. Louis. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*/etiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*/therapy , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*/prevention & control , Mental Health Services*/standards , Mental Health Services*/statistics & numerical data , Mental Health Services*/organization & administration , Wounds and Injuries*/psychology , Wounds and Injuries*/complications , Wounds and Injuries*/surgery, Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data ; Social Workers/psychology ; Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Female ; Male ; Qualitative Research ; Adult ; Interviews as Topic |
| Περίληψη: | Background: Trauma surgery patients are at risk for developing mental health sequelae following injury. In response, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma developed guidelines for mental health care in this population. We aim to evaluate current practices, determine guideline adherence, and identify areas for improvement in the mental health services provided to trauma patients. Methods: We conducted a qualitative evaluation using semistructured interviews with hospital social workers. Nine social workers were interviewed. Data were analyzed thematically to identify the patient pathway, successes, and barriers to mental health care utilization in trauma patients. Results: Social workers described existing clinical practices for trauma patients, including a lack of structured mental health care during admission. Most were unaware of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma guidelines but engaged in practices that closely aligned with the guideline recommendations. Social workers reflected on personal practices and team strengths, emphasizing clinical competence, compassion, and leadership in developing mental health resources. Social workers identified barriers that included insurance limitations, the absence of standardized follow-up protocols, and high patient-to-social worker ratios. Conclusion: This study conveys perspectives on mental health care for trauma patients, including strengths in current practice and opportunities for improvement. We noted how the social work clinical model reflects the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma guidelines despite no deliberate mention of the guidelines, indicating a discrepancy in dissemination at our site. These findings can help create a framework for continued success in caring for mental health concerns and highlight the need for additional training to support consistent implementation of established guidelines. (Copyright © 2026 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Conflict of Interest/Disclosure No conflicts of interest to disclose. |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260625 Date Completed: 20260717 Latest Revision: 20260717 |
| Update Code: | 20260718 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.surg.2026.110323 |
| PMID: | 42350215 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1532-7361 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.surg.2026.110323 |