Primary healthcare practitioners’ perspectives on trauma-informed primary care: a systematic review

Abstract

Exposure to domestic and family violence is a pervasive form of complex trauma and a major global public health problem. At the frontline of the health system, primary healthcare practitioners are uniquely placed to support individuals with experiences of trauma, yet their views on trauma-informed primary care are not well understood. This systematic review of qualitative literature sought to explore primary healthcare practitioners’ perspectives on trauma-informed primary care. Eight databases were searched up to July 2023. Studies were included if they consisted of empirical qualitative data, were conducted in general practice or equivalent generalist primary healthcare settings, and included the perspectives of primary healthcare practitioners where they could be distinguished from other participants in the analysis. Thematic synthesis was used for analysis. 13 papers met inclusion criteria, representing primary care settings from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Norway. Three key themes were developed: Changing the paradigm, Building trust, and Navigating the emotional load. Findings shed light on how primary healthcare practitioners perceive and strive to practise trauma-informed primary healthcare and the challenges of navigating complex, trauma-related work in the primary care environment. This review supports the need for recognition of the value of primary care in supporting patients with histories of trauma and violence, the development of interventions to mitigate the emotional load worn by primary healthcare practitioners, and further work to develop a deep and consistent understanding of what trauma-informed primary care encompasses.