OVERVIEW

A New Age of Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences Course is organized by NurseCe4less.

Statement of Learning Need:
Research has increased knowledge amongst health professionals of the extent to which adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) negatively impact an individual’s mental and physical health throughout their lifetime. This discovery of a relationship between ACEs and adult health has been referred to as “the largest, most important public health study” of all time. All members of the interdisciplinary team should be aware of the increased literature on ACEs when planning the individual treatment plans.

Course Purpose:
To provide health professionals with knowledge of adverse childhood experiences and the literature addressing treatment relative how these experiences shape future mental health and progress.

Course Summary:
Adverse childhood experiences are specific types of childhood trauma and include psychological, physical, or sexual abuse, witnessing violence against the mother, living with household members who had a substance use disorder, mentally ill or suicidal, or who are imprisoned. Recognizing a need for intervention to disrupt adverse childhood experiences to illness trajectory, The American Academy of Pediatrics has called upon medical providers to address ACEs through screening and community-building. Since there is currently no guideline for how to address ACEs, it’s important to use available literature to guide professional practice when considering how and when to screen for and address ACEs. At this time, evidence suggests ACE screening should occur routinely in the primary care setting. Previously held beliefs about the amount of provider training required to have ACEs conversations were prohibitive to the practice of screening and following up to the questionnaire. The evidence also indicates these misconceptions are contrary to patient preference: patient’s want to be asked about ACEs!