TY - JOUR
T1 - Families and Friends of Homicide Victims’ Experiences With the Healthcare System
T2 - A Trauma-Informed Perspective
AU - Mastrocinque, Jeanna M.
AU - Martino, Regina S.
AU - Foglia, Wanda
AU - Navratil, Peter
AU - Metzger, Jed
AU - Cerceo, Elizabeth A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023/1/1
Y1 - 2023/1/1
N2 - Introduction: Families and friends of homicide victims (FFHV) interact with healthcare systems almost immediately after the traumatic event. Their interactions with healthcare providers can either facilitate healing, have a neutral effect, or compound an already painful experience. When trauma victims are admitted to the hospital, resources are necessarily diverted on their behalf with less consistent attention paid to their families and friends. The interactions surrounding the immediate circumstance as well as experiences in the weeks to months after can have significant long-term impact. This study explores the needs and experiences of FFHV when interacting with the healthcare system to inform physicians’ and providers’ interactions and provision of services. Methods: This study of 3 focus groups sought to understand these experiences with the healthcare system to better inform physicians’ and providers’ interactions and provision of services. Results: Using the framework approach, the study ultimately built upon the existing trauma-informed care (TIC) framework to include several emergent themes. Participants discussed the need for death notification sensitivity, benefits of coordinated care, barriers to accessing care, the need for physician empathy and attention, the lack of trauma screening, and hastily prescribing medications. Conclusion: This TIC approach can inform future healthcare interactions with the FFHV as it grounds the patients’ experience in their historical reality and may improve future provider-patient relationship.
AB - Introduction: Families and friends of homicide victims (FFHV) interact with healthcare systems almost immediately after the traumatic event. Their interactions with healthcare providers can either facilitate healing, have a neutral effect, or compound an already painful experience. When trauma victims are admitted to the hospital, resources are necessarily diverted on their behalf with less consistent attention paid to their families and friends. The interactions surrounding the immediate circumstance as well as experiences in the weeks to months after can have significant long-term impact. This study explores the needs and experiences of FFHV when interacting with the healthcare system to inform physicians’ and providers’ interactions and provision of services. Methods: This study of 3 focus groups sought to understand these experiences with the healthcare system to better inform physicians’ and providers’ interactions and provision of services. Results: Using the framework approach, the study ultimately built upon the existing trauma-informed care (TIC) framework to include several emergent themes. Participants discussed the need for death notification sensitivity, benefits of coordinated care, barriers to accessing care, the need for physician empathy and attention, the lack of trauma screening, and hastily prescribing medications. Conclusion: This TIC approach can inform future healthcare interactions with the FFHV as it grounds the patients’ experience in their historical reality and may improve future provider-patient relationship.
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U2 - 10.1177/21501319231162482
DO - 10.1177/21501319231162482
M3 - Article
C2 - 37056032
AN - SCOPUS:85152404204
SN - 2150-1319
VL - 14
JO - Journal of Primary Care and Community Health
JF - Journal of Primary Care and Community Health
ER -