Over the last five decades, surgical advancements and the development of comprehensive trauma systems have revolutionized the care of trauma patients, leading to significant reductions in trauma-related mortality and morbidity. Despite these improvements, many trauma patients still face suboptimal long-term outcomes. Research has shown that poor outcomes are not solely related to physical injury, but also to emotional responses to trauma and a lack of available support for patients and their families.
Fortunately, further research on the recovery process and the psychology of injury and disability suggests that post-trauma outcomes can be improved by providing peer support programs to patients and families, connecting them with each other, and teaching them skills for managing the challenges of recovery.
In 2008, the American Trauma Society (ATS) developed the Trauma Survivors Network (TSN) to help trauma centers provide support and services to patients and families during recovery from serious injury. The program aims to connect trauma survivors and families, enhance survivor skills and self-efficacy, establish a network of hospital-based peer support programs and resources, train healthcare providers, and build a community of advocates dedicated to improving prevention efforts, trauma outcomes, and trauma systems.
For more information you may visit their website at https://www.traumasurvivorsnetwork.org/pages/home