Not a technique but a fundamental way of being: service user experiences of, and views regarding “trauma-informed care” in UK mental health and social care services

BACKGROUND: The concept of "Trauma-Informed Care" (TIC) is gaining traction. Although many argue for its importance, others claim it is poorly defined with limited practical use. To date, there are no reviews of the experiences of UK service users (SUs). AIM: To review qualitative research examining how users of UK mental health and social care services describe their experiences of, and views regarding trauma-informed care. METHOD: Thematic synthesis. RESULTS: The search identified sixteen relevant papers. SUs experienced or viewed TIC as more helpful than traditional services, however did not emphasise the importance of focussing on trauma explicitly, raising a question as to whether the positive aspects of care identified require a trauma lens. Rather, SUs wanted services which were relational at their core, thoughtful in a broader sense about the meaning of experiences and behaviour, and able to think dialectically. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that relationships and dialectical thinking are key to good quality care for SUs, and they do not necessarily experience an explicit focus on trauma as important. Professionals and policymakers could usefully consider the extent to which existing models and policies, including TIC frameworks, facilitate or hinder these aspects of care.