Identification of a Human Trafficking Victim: A Simulation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Human trafficking affects millions globally, with emergency departments (EDs) being a critical point for victim identification.
• A significant number of human trafficking survivors interact with the ED, yet most are not identified, leading to missed intervention opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a hybrid educational model using simulation for training emergency medicine residents in human trafficking identification and response.
• To enhance residents' confidence and competence in managing potential human trafficking cases within the ED setting.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid teaching model combining lecture and standardized patient simulation was implemented for emergency medicine interns and residents.
• Participants completed pre- and post-simulation surveys assessing their knowledge, confidence, and perceived importance of addressing human trafficking.

Main Results:

• Prior to training, most residents had limited prior education on human trafficking.
• Post-simulation, residents reported significantly increased confidence (4/5) in identifying and treating trafficking victims compared to those who did not participate (3/5).
• All residents who underwent simulation training rated the experience highly useful and recommended it for their peers.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid simulation-based educational initiative effectively enhanced emergency medicine residents' comfort and confidence in recognizing and responding to human trafficking.
• Simulation training is a valuable and recommended tool for educating healthcare professionals on identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking.