DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/WN0Z-EE76
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5784-9513
Defense Date
2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Clinical Psychology
First Advisor
Bruce Rybarczyk, PhD
Second Advisor
Kathryn Maher, PhD
Third Advisor
Sarah Braun, PhD
Fourth Advisor
Vivian Dzokoto, PhD
Fifth Advisor
Jared Keeley, PhD
Abstract
Introduction: Millions of people are traumatically injured each year, with a significant portion going on to develop negative mental health sequelae. Many Level I trauma centers are integrating psychologists to provide acute assessment and intervention to patients at risk for poor outcomes. However, medical providers receive very limited training in how to best refer patients to mental health services and may benefit from such education.
Objective: To characterize current patterns of referral to trauma psychology at a Level I trauma center and to develop, refine, and test proof-of-concept for a new training for referring providers.
Method: One year of patient data was reviewed retrospectively, and characteristics of patients referred to trauma psychology were compared to characteristics of those who were not. Next, an expert advisory committee was convened to develop a novel training for referring providers. The developed training was offered to participants who then completed measures of demonstrated and self-reported competence and confidence in referring patients to trauma psychology. Acceptability and feasibility were also assessed.
Results: Analysis of referred and unreferred patients revealed patterns generally consistent with the published literature. Trauma psychology was consulted for approximately 8.7% of admitted patients with an average of 2.5 follow up visits after a completed consult visit. The developed training was generally acceptable and feasible and demonstrated improvements in self-rated confidence and competence, but measures of demonstrated competence using clinical vignettes did not change from pre- to post-training.
Implications and Conclusion: Brief training for medical providers who refer patients to trauma psychology can be feasible and beneficial according to self-report, though measuring its efficacy is challenging.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-12-2023