The Pediatric Critical Care Unit is a high-stakes environment where children and families face life-threatening illness or injuries, prolonged hospitalization, and overwhelming uncertainty, often leading to lasting psychological trauma. In this episode with renowned trauma-informed care nursing expert, Dr. Betsy McDowell, we dive into the definition of traumatic stress, how it impacts children and families long-term, and what trauma-informed care can do to break the cycle and promote healing.

For more information, go to:

- - Trauma-Informed Care: Pediatric Intensive Care Nurses at the Root of Children’s Safety and Trust, Betsy McDowell, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAA. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36453066/

- - National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Numerous educational resources surrounding pediatric psychologic trauma. https://learn.nctsn.org/

- - Center on the Developing Child: Practical, clinical, and policy related resources through Harvard University - https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resource-guides/guide-toxic-stress/

- - Pediatric Approach to Trauma, Treatment, and Resilience (PATTeR) https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/national-center-for-relational-health-and-trauma-informed-care/patter-pediatric-approach-to-trauma-treatment-and-resilience

- - Textbook: Childhood Trauma and Resilience A Practical Guide, Heather Forkey, MD, FAAP; Jessica Griffin, PsyD; Moira Szilagyi, MD, PhD, FAAP

- - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Trauma-Informed Care https://library.samhsa.gov/product/samhsas-concept-trauma-and-guidance-trauma-informed-approach/sma14-4884