th
8 Annual Sue MacRae Lecture
on Ethics and Patient-Centred Care
May 20, 2015, 4:10-5:30 pm
Note Room Change: 155 College St., Room 106
This event will be webcast:
https://jcb.adobeconnect.com/bioethicsseminars/
Admission Free - No Registration Required
The Ethical and Clinical Imperative of TraumaInformed Care: A Patient-Centred Approach
Catherine C. Classen, PhD, CPsych
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto; Academic
Leader, Trauma Therapy Program, Women's College Hospital; Director, Women's
Mental Health Research Program, Women's College Research Institute
Abstract: Psychological trauma has a broad range of physical and mental health consequences, posing a heavy and largely unrecognized
burden on our healthcare system. Interpersonal trauma experienced in childhood has especially pernicious consequences that can span a
lifetime. Given the high prevalence of psychological trauma and its often devastating effects, there is both an ethical and clinical obligation
to provide care that is trauma-informed. Although there is a growing awareness that healthcare should be trauma-informed, the vast
majority of healthcare providers have only a cursory knowledge of psychological trauma and how it impacts their patients. As a result,
trauma survivors are often misunderstood and not receiving the care they need. Furthermore, our burdened healthcare system is not set up
to meet their needs. This presentation will examine why and how psychological trauma places a heavy burden on our healthcare system and
why we have an ethical obligation to make our healthcare system trauma-informed. The principles of trauma-informed care and how it is
patient-centred will be described. Finally, a rationale for why it is in society’s best interest to have a trauma-informed healthcare system will
be presented.
Suite 754, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1P8, Canada, Tel.: [416] 978-2709, Fax: [416] 978-1911
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A partnership among the University of Toronto; Baycrest Health Sciences; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Centre for Clinical Ethics, a joint venture of Providence
Healthcare, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital; Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab; The Hospital for Sick Children; Humber River Hospital; Mount Sinai
Hospital; North York General Hospital; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre; Trillium Health Partners; and University Health
Network (Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and Toronto Western Hospital).