Trauma and Technology SIG

Background

Digital health technologies have the potential to enhance the scalability of trauma-focused interventions. Nearly 85% of the adult US population owns a smartphone (Pew Research Center, 2021) and most mobile phone uses have downloaded at least one mHealth app (Krebs & Duncan, 2015). Individuals in need of mental health care following traumatic events face traditional (e.g., stigma, scheduling, transportation) and unique challenges (e.g., competing appointments, physical recovery, occupational and academic needs) to seeking appropriate services. Technology use, such as telehealth technologies, artificial intelligence and large language models, mobile health solutions, web-based psychoeducational and self-guided interventions, and SMS-based services, offers a potential solution to overcome these barriers and increase service access to trauma-affected populations. Ideally, such resources must be (1) evidence-based, (2) scalable and cost-efficient, and (3) able to be seamlessly integrated into trauma care. Additional research is warranted at the intersection of digital health solutions and implementation science to help ensure that cost-effective, sustainable, scalable technology-enhanced interventions reach the traumatic stress populations that need them most.

Mission Statement

The Trauma and Technology SIG, previously the Internet & Technology SIG, aims to promote discussion regarding innovative ways to use technology-facilitated resources to enhance access to and quality of care for individuals impacted by traumatic events. SIG members include (1) providers using or interested in using technology to deliver and/or enhance access to evidence-based services to traumatic stress populations; (2) investigators using innovative research methods to prevent or better understand individuals’ needs following traumatic events, or (3) some combination of these roles.

The missions of the Trauma and Technology SIG are to

1. 1. Foster collaboration between clinicians and/or investigators interested in using technology to advance the field of traumatic stress.
   2. Share updates, promote member collaborations, support our members, and learn from invited speakers presenting their innovative work on trauma and technology via monthly newsletters and quarterly SIG meetings.
   3. Promote SIG members’ research advancements and clinically focused contributions to the intersection of technology solutions and traumatic stress.

SIG members are encouraged to use the listserv and to attend SIG meetings for communication and collaboration.

Co-Chairs

Leigh Ridings, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina

Haijing Hallenbeck, PhD
VA National Center for PTSD

Zoe Brier, PhD
Stanford University

Student Chair

Samantha Berg, MA

Johanna Hidalgo, MA

Trauma and Technology SIG Listserv Address

Members of the Trauma and Technology SIG can use the SIG listserv to share information with the full SIG.
istss-technologySIG@groups.istss.org