traumascreening

Trauma screening, sometimes written as traumascreening, is the systematic assessment used in healthcare settings to identify individuals who have experienced traumatic events or who display trauma-related symptoms. The aim is to inform care, support safety planning, and connect patients with appropriate services, including mental health treatment and social supports.

Screening may occur in primary care, emergency departments, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health settings, and can be performed at intake or during periodic visits. Common tools include validated measures such as the PC-PTSD or PCL-5 for PTSD symptoms, the ACE questionnaire for childhood adversity, and, for domestic violence, brief screening items like HITS. The goal is to identify those who may benefit from fuller assessment rather than to diagnose.

After a positive screen, a brief assessment is conducted to evaluate safety, risk, and needs; clinicians provide support, validate experiences, share resources, and arrange referrals for trauma-focused therapy (for example CBT, EMDR, or TF-CBT) or social services. Screening should be embedded in trauma-informed care that emphasizes safety, trust, and collaboration, with attention to cultural and linguistic appropriateness, consent, and privacy.

Ethical considerations include consent, confidentiality, and jurisdiction-specific mandatory reporting requirements. Limitations of trauma screening include potential underreporting, risk of retraumatization, and the need for adequate follow-up resources. When implemented with trauma-informed workflows and trained staff, screening can improve identification and access to appropriate care.