When the Threat is Inside: Treating Medical Trauma with Dr. Sacha McBain

Military Psychology Podcast

On a podcast about military psychology, you’d bet we would talk a lot about psychological trauma...and you’d be correct. But what happens when a patient’s trauma comes from within their own body rather than an external threat? What if the traumatic event was something that the patient did not see? Do we still consider a diagnosis of PTSD? Are the treatments the same? On this episode, Dr. Sacha McBain shares her expertise diagnosing and treating medical trauma, traumatic experiences from medical events. Dr. McBain serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Trauma Prevention, Recovery, and Innovation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). In this role, she has spearheaded implementation of screening, education, and brief intervention efforts within the Department of Surgery’s Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery to address the unique mental health needs of patients experiencing serious injury or acute illness. She also provides training and consultation to medical services around implementation of trauma-informed care practices, medical traumatic stress, and health care worker wellness initiatives designed to mitigate the impact of workplace trauma exposure. Her clinical interests include increasing access to care for patients, advocating for mental health resources in medical settings, and destigmatizing utilization of mental health engagement for patients and their families. Join podcast host, Dr. Ethan Bannar, and guest host, Dr. Brooke Long, as they welcome Dr. McBain to the Military Psychology Podcast to delve into the complex landscape that is medical trauma, discussing and defining the experience of medical trauma, the role of psychologists in health-related settings, challenges in the field, and prevention and intervention strategies for use in clinical settings!

Dr. McBain can be reached via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachamcbain/