Understanding Health System Needs for Human Trafficking Response: A Facility Survey in Michigan
Michelle Munro-Kramer, PhD, CNM, FNP-BC | September 24 | 3:15-4:15 PM
Topic: Research, Healthcare | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Human trafficking (HT) is a serious crime and human rights violation as well as a public health issue with significant health consequences. There has been little research investigating the preparedness of health facilities to serve HT survivors. The purpose of this study is to describe the needs of health facilities in Michigan related to education, screening, and response for HT. This study used a cross-sectional design. The state was split into regions, then sampled according to health facility type. An email invitation was sent between May-June 2019 with a link to a 26-item survey. Participating facilities (n=47) included health departments, federally qualified health centers, and hospitals. Results demonstrate the majority of health facilities had screening policies and response protocols related to child maltreatment and intimate partner violence. However, the number of facilities that had a screening policy (40.9%) and response protocol for HT (64.3%) was much lower, with more facilities focusing on sex trafficking than labor trafficking. Health facilities reported that their top needs related to HT included: 1) individual-level healthcare provider training; 2) health-facility level screening policies and response protocols; 3) community-level resources; and 4) societal-level awareness, funding allocation, and data. Despite an increasing focus on educating healthcare providers about HT, there is a need for facility-level resources to ensure that healthcare providers have adequate training and support. The results of this study were used to create a website, continuing education module, and four videos focused on the healthcare provider response from survivor, legal, and healthcare perspectives. Other contributing members of this presentation include Dana Beck, PhD, FNP-BC and Bridgette Carr, JD.
Presentation Objectives:
· Discuss the role of health facilities in education, screening, and response for human trafficking
· Describe practical strategies that can be used at a system-level to support individual healthcare provider responses to human trafficking