On-the-Go Training: Downloadable Modules to Train Medical Students to Care for Adult Female Sexual Assault Survivors
Molly Siegel,
Estela Chen Gonzalez,
Olindi Wijesekera,
Katherine Finkelstein,
Randi Petricone,
Lois Glass,
Annie Lewis-O'Connor,
Conor Duffy,
Nadia Quijije,
Gail March,
Shannon Bell
Affiliations
Molly Siegel
Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Estela Chen Gonzalez
Fourth-Year Medical Student, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine
Olindi Wijesekera
Fourth-Year Medical Student, Boston University School of Medicine
Katherine Finkelstein
ORISE Research Fellow, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Randi Petricone
Clinical Instructor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine
Lois Glass
Director, Vicarious Trauma Project, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center; Private Practice, Boston, MA
Annie Lewis-O'Connor
Director, C.A.R.E. Clinic (Coordinated Approach to Recovery and Empowerment), Brigham and Women's Hospital; Founder, C.A.R.E. Clinic (Coordinated Approach to Recovery and Empowerment), Brigham and Women's Hospital
Conor Duffy
Research Assistant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine
Nadia Quijije
Director, Burns/Trauma Psychiatry Consultation Service, Massachusetts General Hospital; Psychiatrist, Avery Weisman Psychiatric Consultation Service, Massachusetts General Hospital; Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Gail March
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Sciences and Education, Boston University School of Medicine
Shannon Bell
Founder, LINK Aftercare Clinic, Boston University School of Medicine; Director, LINK Aftercare Clinic, Boston University School of Medicine; Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine
Introduction Every medical provider encounters patients who have experienced sexual assault, and a patient's interaction with the medical system can impact long-term outcomes. Training to provide appropriate, compassionate care for this population is lacking in most medical school curricula. This educational resource contains three downloadable modules to train medical students in providing improved care for adult female survivors of sexual assault so students can feel more confident and empowered in caring for this population. Methods The modules are composed of an informational video on initial medical management, a patient interview simulation video, and a set of audio interviews on suggestions for practice. Interdisciplinary experts assisted in the modules' development. Associated materials include a 10 question pre- and posttest of medical knowledge, with additional survey questions to assess student attitudes and satisfaction outcomes. Results A cohort of 32 medical student volunteers from all class years tested the modules. Overall, student scores improved 20% (95% confidence interval, 16%-23%) from pre- to posttest. Students reported that their comfort in caring for an adult female sexual assault survivor increased after completion of the modules (p = .025). On the whole, students reported on the postsurvey that the modules enhanced their education, improved their comfort, and were appropriate for their level of education. Discussion These modules can enrich an undergraduate medical curriculum in a currently underaddressed topic, the care of female survivors of sexual assault. Empowering and educating students to care for this patient population can result in improved health outcomes.
