How Should Clinicians Address a Patient's Experience of Transgenerational Trauma?

Abstract

Establishing trust is essential to a healthy patient-surgeon relationship. Respecting patient autonomy while seeking to understand patients' unique perspectives can strengthen trust. This article discusses cultural mistrust, a response shaped by historical iatrogenic harm (ie, unintentional harm caused by health care professionals or the health care system) and transgenerational trauma (ie, the transfer of attitudes and behaviors from survivors of trauma to their children and subsequent generations) and the importance of recognizing how patients' life experiences impact their health decision making.