Human Sex Trafficking: The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Screening Patients at Risk

Background: Human trafficking, or modern-day slavery, is a global problem with a broad reach that is often under recognized in the United States (Gillispie, Russo, & Shah, 2019). The International Labor Organization estimates that human trafficking affects 40.3 million people globally: 14,500 to 17,500 in the United States alone (Chambers, 2019). Some studies report that 80-90% of certain demographics of trafficked individuals, such as female sex trafficked victims, have contact with a healthcare provider at least once while being trafficked, and often these victims are not recognized (Chambers, 2019). Healthcare providers are in a unique position to intervene and health victims of human trafficking (Stoklosa, Lyman, Bohert, & Mittel, 2017).Objective: To increase awareness and educate healthcare providers about the concept of human trafficking and specifically how to identify victims, implement a screening tool for healthcare providers to use and provide a clinical pathway to follow when a patient screens positive. Methods: PDSA Cycles were used to collaborate with the NPs throughout the QI project. Pre/Post surveys were sent out via Survey Monkey and e-mail. Educational information, screening questions and clinical pathways were distributed to the NPs via e-mail, and then passed along to the staff in the office. Results: Primary outcomes were measured using the pre- and post- educational survey as well as patient demographics. Providing screening tools and clinical pathways that are understandable and actionable as well as being able to incorporate educational material provides an effective way to increase knowledge and screening of potential human trafficking victims.Doctor of Nursing Practic