| dc.description.abstract | Human trafficking is one of the largest illegal industries with over 40 million adults and children enslaved worldwide. The psychological and physical consequences of human trafficking are high and may impact a victim for their entire life. Approximately 88% of human trafficking victims report receiving medical care during their time captured, and a majority of these victims seek care in the emergency department (ED). Only 11% of healthcare professionals (HCPs) report receiving education on human trafficking.
The purpose of this project was to determine if education regarding human trafficking influences HCPs including, nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), registration, education, case management, and technicians comfort level in identifying victims of human trafficking and then providing resources to the victim. This practice improvement project (PIP) consisted of two, one and a half hour educational in-services in-person or by Zoom to a level III healthcare system in the Midwest. Pre- and post-surveys were used to evaluate the effectiveness in improving knowledge and confidence in identifying and providing resources to potential victims.
Nine HCPs completed the pre- and post-surveys of the two educational in-services. An overall positive increase in HCP’s perceived knowledge of identification of potential victims and providing resources in this PIP. Two knowledge questions did not show improvement between the pre- and post-survey. Overall, there was a positive increase in HCP’s level of confidence in identifying potential victims and providing local, statewide, and national resources to victims. All participants agreed to finding additional education on human trafficking to be helpful in their job.
The co-investigator of this PIP recommends that NPs and other HCPs be educated on human trafficking indicators and risk factors, as well as resources available for victims. The results of this PIP support the increase in perceived level of knowledge and confidence level in identifying and providing resources to victims of human trafficking. NPs and other HCPs can combat human trafficking by identifying potential victims and offering resources. | en_US |
