Pediatrics
Volume 135, Issue 4, 2015, Pages e895-e902

Medical providers' understanding of sex trafficking and their experience with at-risk patients (Article) (Open Access)

Beck M.E. , Lineer M.M. , Melzer-Lange M. , Simpson P. , Nugent M. , Rabbitt A.*
  • a Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
  • b Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
  • c Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States, Department of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
  • d Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
  • e Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
  • f Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Child Advocacy and Protection Services, C615, PO Box 1997, Milwaukee, WI 53201, United States

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sex trafficking (ST) victims have unique medical and mental health abstract needs and are often difficult to identify. Our objectives were to evaluate knowledge gaps and training needs of medical providers, to demonstrate the importance of provider training to meet the pediatric ST victim's specific needs, and to highlight barriers to the identification of and response to victims. METHODS: A survey was sent to providers in specialties that would be most likely to encounter victims of ST. Participants included physicians, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, and patient and family advocates at multiple hospitals and medical clinics in urban, suburban, and rural locations. RESULTS: Of ∼500 survey recipients, 168 participants responded. In 2 clinical vignettes, 48% correctly classified a minor as an ST victim, and 42% correctly distinguished an ST victim from a child abuse victim. In all, 63% of respondents said that they had never received training on how to identify ST victims. Those with training were more likely to report ST as a major problem locally (P ≤.001), to have encountered a victim in their practice (P ≤.001), and to have greater confidence in their ability to identify victims (P ≤.001). The greatest barriers to identification of victims reported were a lack of training (34%) and awareness (22%) of ST. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers demonstrate gaps in knowledge and awareness of ST, specifically of pediatric victims, that correlate with their limited experience and training. Training is crucial to improve identification of these victims and provide appropriate care for their specific needs. Copyright © 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

information processing education patient care computer program comprehension nurse health care personnel patient identification human risk assessment controlled study priority journal pediatrics social worker health personnel attitude sex trafficking Attitude of Health Personnel United States physician assistant Humans family male female police software professional knowledge questionnaire medical education child sexual abuse job experience human trafficking Article Wisconsin awareness Questionnaires physician child health care in service training Inservice Training crime victim high risk patient Patient Care Team Data Collection Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84927751097&doi=10.1542%2fpeds.2014-2814&partnerID=40&md5=2eecab024dc1ef9c3d9cc962a1d57040
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-2814
ISSN: 00314005
Cited by: 49
Original Language: English