3478 - Transforming into a Trauma-Informed Care Radiation Oncology Department: Training Program Design, Execution and Evaluation of our Programs Impact

C. Bach¹, C. Misher¹, S. Villalona², M. Iocolano³, J. M. Metz³, and C. E. Hill-Kayser³; ¹Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, ²Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, ³Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Purpose/Objective(s): Oncology patients and their families are at risk for having experienced trauma. Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a framework for providers to recognize the experience of trauma and its impact on a person’s participation in cancer treatment. Understanding patients’ experiences can support provision of patient-centered, collaborative care that also may improve patient outcomes and adherence. Materials/

Methods: A TIC training program was designed by an interdisciplinary team based on TIC principles, with learning goals including understanding trauma, recognizing signs, symptoms and common trauma responses, and implementing sensitive practice techniques. Interactive group trainings were tailored based on participant roles.

A pre- and post-training validated assessment (Trauma-Informed Care Provider Survey, V 2.0, Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) was utilized to assess knowledge, opinions and practices (barriers and interventions) among participants. Survey responses were analyzed using paired t-Tests on statistical software.
Results: Eleven 60-90 minute trainings occurred from 8/2023-3/2024, both in-person and virtually, and included 141 radiation oncology (RO) staff in a single department (51 radiation therapists, 26 physicians, 4 social workers, 33 patient service representatives, 15 advanced practice providers, 7 other).

Of these, 101 completed both pre- and post-test surveys. Paired sample participants were 85% female; 72% were aged 20-40y, 24% 40 – 60y, and 4% > 60y; 33% had less than 5y experience, 47% 5-15y, 14% 15-25y, and 7% > 25y of experience.

Paired Samples Statistics

*reverse scored
Conclusion:

Interactive evidence-based training can effectively increase knowledge, competence and opinions about TIC in a sample of RO staff. Training decreased barriers to providing TIC and increased knowledge of TIC interventions. Standardized TIC training of all RO staff should be considered. Future research will include patient TIC screening and continued staff training and simulation exercises. Abstract 3478 – Table 1

N=101	Mean	Std. Deviation	Std. Error Mean	Score Change
Knowledge Score (Range 13-52): Pre Post Mean Change Score	36.44 38.83 2.396	2.79 3.72	.277 .370	p<0.01
Opinion Score (Range 14-20); Pre Post Mean Change Score	22.21 23.49 1.27	2.79 3.05	.278 .303	p<0.01
Competence Score (Range 0-24): Pre Post Mean Change Score	10.95 17.89 6.941	4.77 5.12	.474 .510	p<0.01
Barriers Score (Range 0-14)*: Pre Post Mean Change Score	7.00 4.66 -2.337*	2.94 3.17	.292 .316	p<0.01
Interventions Score (Range 0-9): Pre Post Mean Change Score	4.25 5.78 1.535	2.87 2.96	.285 .205	p<0.01