TeleSANE: A Scoping Review of Telehealth-Based Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Services

Telehealth technology has been used to increase access to SANE care as many patients have limited or no access to a SANE.

To map current literature on telehealth-based Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (teleSANE) services.

We searched databases for articles published through May 2025 and identified 13 articles from 371 initial records. Eligible studies discussed telehealth SANE services and included feedback from stakeholders.

Most teleSANE services used a hub-and-spoke model with SANEs providing real-time guidance to remote-site clinicians. Implementation rationales focused on ensuring quality care, increasing access, and improving provider confidence. Stakeholder feedback was predominantly positive, although rarely gathered from patients. Significant sustainability challenges were evident.

TeleSANE shows promise in ensuring access to SANE care while creating new practice opportunities for forensic nurses. Future research should focus on patient outcomes, cost-effectiveness, experiences of diverse populations, and implementation in specialized settings.