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Description
INNOVATION
Background: In 2022, nurses from a pediatric healthcare system hosted a Human Trafficking Conference to educate healthcare providers on the identification of human trafficking victims. In post-conference surveys, participants reported a gap in their ability to respond once a human trafficking victim was identified. The conference planning committee reconvened in 2023 to address this gap and shifted from a didactic presentation to application and simulation.
Purpose: Research shows in our home state, there are about 313,000 people being trafficked, up to 50% of them being youth. It is estimated that up to 88% of human trafficking victims encounter healthcare providers while being trafficked. The majority of healthcare providers report feeling ill-equipped to identify the warning signs and lack training in trauma-informed care. There is a need to address this gap in training with opportunities for healthcare workers to apply their knowledge in a low-stakes environment.
Implementation: The 2023 conference offered survivor testimonies and an expert panelist. The planning committee designed breakout rooms featuring standardized patient scenarios, simulation utilizing the Greenbaum Screening tool, activation of healthcare system protocols, and an escape room. The content was strengthened by partnering with content experts from the healthcare system, community trafficking organizations, and local and federal law enforcement agencies. These experts were able to share real-life experiences in supporting victims of human trafficking.
Evaluation: The 2023 post-conference survey demonstrated successful closure of the application gap for participants, with 100% of the 68 respondents stating that they felt “comfortable initiating the next steps in escalation once a potential trafficked victim is identified.” Remarkably, 95.6% of respondents indicated feeling “comfortable using a trauma-informed approach”.
Recomendations: Children who are victims of human trafficking are coming into our workplaces. Pediatric nurses must learn their role in identifying victims, providing trauma-informed care, how to report, and what policies and guidelines are in place. We must advocate for the training to provide care for this vulnerable population.
References:
1.) Combs, M. A. (2021). Human trafficking: Empowering healthcare providers and community partners as advocates for victims. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 40(3), 302-303. DOI: 10.1177/08980101221116444
2.) Dols, J. D., Beckmann-Mendez, D., McDow, J., Walker, K., & Moon, M. D. (2019). Human trafficking victim identification, assessment, and intervention strategies in South Texas emergency departments. Journal of emergency nursing, 45(6), 622-633.
3.) Exeni McAmis, N.E., Mirabella, A.C, McCarthy, E.M., Cama, C.A., Fogarasi, M.C., Thomas, L.A., Feinn, R.S. ; Rivera-Godreau, I. (2022). Assessing healthcare provider knowledge of human trafficking. PloS ONE, 17(3),e0264388. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264338
4.) González-de la Torre, H., Hernández-De Luis, M.-N., MiesPadilla, S., Camacho-Bejarano, R., Verdú- Soriano, J., Rodríguez-Suárez, C.-A. (2024). Effectiveness of “escape room” educational technology in nurses’ education: A systematic review. Nursing Reports, 14(2), 1193–1211. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nursrep14020091
5.) Lorvinsky, J., Pringle, J., Filion, F., Gagnon, A. J. (2023). Sex trafficking survivors’ experiences with healthcare system during exploitation: a qualitative study. PloS One, 18(8), e0290067. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290067
6.) Miller, C. L., Chisolm-Straker, M., Duke, G., & Stoklosa, H. (2020). A framework for the development of healthcare provider education programs on human trafficking part three: recommendations. Journal of human trafficking, 6(4), 425-434.
7.) Ortman, K, Sullivan, K. Hansen, K. (2021). Barriers to addressing human trafficking in healthcare. South Dakota Medicine: The Journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association, 74(12), 584-585.
Publication Date
9-27-2024
Keywords
Innovation, Human Trafficking
Disciplines
Pediatric Nursing
Recommended Citation
Daugherty, Misty; Hanks, Jill; Kell, Alison; Tolliver, Annie; Fields, Katie; and Velez, Lily, "From Identification to Action: Nurses Respond to Human Trafficking" (2024). 2024. 22.
https://scholarlycollection.childrens.com/nursing-anf2024/22
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
