Developing a trauma-informed workforce for the opioid crisis in a rural community in the United States: a case study
The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice
ISSN: 1755-6228
Article publication date: 3 September 2021
Issue publication date: 3 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Workforce development in rural communities to address a surge in opioid addiction and overdose related hospitalizations has been an unaddressed issue in the USA. This study aims to present an integrated, trauma-informed, behavioral workforce development initiative in a midwestern rural setting in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a mixed method, two-phased study: the first phase tracked and analyzed two focus group conferences involving experts (n = 6) and professionals (n = 8) to develop a training protocol; the second phase provided a training (n = 101), based on the protocol to future professionals and compared competencies before and after the implementation of the training.
Findings
There is a need of a trauma integrated approach in providing interprofessional training connecting health-care workers in rural communities to address the current opioid crisis to bring about cohesion among integrated and interdisciplinary teams. Workforce building will need to implement best practices not only among medical providers but among community mental health practitioners in rural areas.
Originality/value
This is a unique trauma-informed workforce development initiative in a rural community. Such studies are extremely limited and almost non-existent. Further initiatives need to be taken in this field to identify unique differences within communities that may hinder implementation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author is thankful to the Crisis Stabilization Unit, the experts and the professionals, and the students who took part in this study. Without their support, this study would not have been possible.Funding: No funds, grants, or other support was received for the study or the preparation of the manuscript. The author declares there is no financial interests.Conflict of interest: The author has no conflict of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.
Citation
Chowdhury, D. (2022), "Developing a trauma-informed workforce for the opioid crisis in a rural community in the United States: a case study", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 12-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-06-2021-0070
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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