Spirituality and Vicarious Trauma Among Trauma Clinicians: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: There has been a lack of research so far on spirituality and trauma. There has been some indication that religion and spirituality are resources in protection against burnout. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand the phenomenon of spirituality in the context of vicarious trauma among trauma clinicians. METHODS: This was a qualitative study based on hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. Individual interviews were conducted with 36 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants on the relationship between their spirituality and trauma work. RESULTS: Participants were recruited from a large Midwest metropolitan Level I trauma center and attendees at the 2018 Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma annual conference. Four patterns emerged from the interviews that transcended religious or spiritual affiliation and medical specialty. These included (1) the world of trauma; (2) religious or spiritual beliefs guiding their work; (3) the need for support systems; and (4) the importance of coping mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Religion or spirituality plays a role in underlying meaning making and, in the moment, coping for trauma professionals.