Case Studies for Therapists of Medical Trauma in Television from “General Hospital” to “Grey’s Anatomy”

Since the onset of television, audiences have been captivated by serialized medical workplace stories that dramatize the experiences of medical professionals and their patients. Despite decades of laughing at “Scrubs” or crying during “St. Elsewhere”, the reality for many medical settings includes understaffed clinics, burnout, and medical trauma. Therapists must be trauma-informed to understand best practices when addressing medical trauma when working with medical professionals, caretakers, and patients.

This interactive presentation provides an introduction to medical trauma and reviews case study examples from our favorite medical dramas over the decades.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify 4 signs of medical trauma and vicarious medical trauma
2. Analyze 3 case studies of medical PTSD and vicarious medical trauma
3. Compare 2 techniques for treating medical trauma
4. Develop a 1 page treatment plan for treating medical trauma related to presentation case studies.