Study Background
Trauma surgery patients face a significant risk of developing mental health complications such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following injury. PTSD can profoundly affect recovery, quality of life, and long-term functioning. Recognizing the burden of psychological sequelae after physical trauma, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) developed guidelines aimed at integrating mental health care into trauma treatment pathways. Despite these guidelines, awareness and implementation in clinical practice remain inconsistent. This study seeks to explore current mental health care practices for trauma patients, assess adherence to ACS-COT guidelines, and identify obstacles to comprehensive mental health service provision from the perspective of hospital social workers who provide psychosocial support during acute trauma care.
