When we hear the word trauma, we often imagine major events like wars or natural disasters. Yet for many, trauma takes shape in a quieter setting: the medical exam room.

Procedures like surgery, managing chronic conditions, gynecological care, or even routine check-ups can feel overwhelming or even traumatic, especially for those who’ve had difficult medical experiences or a history of trauma.

But what if medical visits could feel safer, more compassionate, and responsive to emotional needs? That’s the heart of trauma-informed care (TIC) — a practice every patient deserves.

What Is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-informed care is a healthcare approach that acknowledges how previous trauma, medical or otherwise, can affect how patients experience care today. It recognizes that common medical procedures or clinical environments can provoke anxiety, fear, distrust, shame, or flashbacks for some individuals.

TIC encourages healthcare professionals to see patients as whole people, with complex histories and feelings — not just bodies to treat.

Key principles of TIC include:

• Ensuring emotional and physical safety
• Using clear and respectful communication
• Encouraging patient empowerment and choice
• Building trust through collaboration
• Understanding the impact of culture and history
  

Why Is It Important?

Research shows up to 90% of people experience at least one traumatic event during their lives. Many patients already carry trauma into the medical setting, and routine care can unintentionally retrigger past trauma.

Without trauma-informed care, patients may:

• Feel powerless or silenced
• Avoid necessary care out of fear
• Freeze, dissociate, or panic during procedures
• Leave appointments feeling emotionally distressed or retraumatized

Even standard medical interactions, like a pelvic exam, rushed discussions, or lack of privacy, can become triggering if clinicians don’t recognize their emotional impact.

Signs of Medical Trauma

You might be experiencing medical trauma if you notice:

• Anxiety or dread before appointments
• Feeling numb, panicking, or “shutting down” during care
• Avoiding certain procedures or providers
• Feeling small or helpless in clinical environments
• Emotional upset that persists long after visits
  

These are not signs of weakness—they’re survival responses that deserve understanding and compassion.

How to Advocate for Trauma-Informed Care

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to ask for trauma-informed support. Here’s how you can advocate for yourself:

• Share your needs: “I’ve had difficult experiences with medical care. Could you explain what will happen today?”
• Set boundaries: Request breaks, bring someone you trust, or ask about alternatives.
• Ask for explanations: Have providers talk you through procedures step by step.
• State your preferences: Request providers of a specific gender if that helps you feel safer.
• Seek continuity: Seeing the same provider regularly can reduce anxiety and build trust.
• Consider therapy: Counseling can help process past trauma and build coping skills for medical settings.

What Providers Should Know

Trauma-informed care benefits not only patients but also healthcare providers by reducing burnout, improving communication, and enhancing outcomes.

Clinicians practicing TIC should:

• Validate patients’ emotions without judgment
• Adjust clinical routines to reduce triggers
• Provide patient-centered care built on safety and trust
• Recognize how culture, identity, and history shape a patient’s experience

A New Vision for Healthcare

True healing isn’t only about test results or successful surgeries — it’s also about how patients feel during care. Feeling seen, heard, and respected can make all the difference.

Healing often begins when a provider looks a patient in the eye and says: “I hear you. I believe you. You’re safe here.” This level of connection improves care for both patients and clinicians, leading to better outcomes and less burnout.
Whether you’re a patient, loved one, or provider, trauma-informed care invites us all to make healthcare a place of compassion, understanding, and true healing.