Purpose
Creating and implementing a thorough educational program seeking to close the knowledge gap among healthcare providers and enhance their understanding of human trafficking. An estimated 27.6 million individuals are affected by human trafficking globally. Survivors of human trafficking often face exploitation and often suffer from various health-related challenges, necessitating support from healthcare professionals. However, many in this field may feel inadequately prepared or lack the necessary training to address these complex needs.
Methods
In partnership with the THRIVE clinic at the University of Miami, medical students created educational materials and organized them into a comprehensive module, accessible through the Canvas e-learning platform. This module features an informative seminar, a guide for conducting trauma-informed physical examinations, links to local and national resources, and an optional quiz consisting of 20 questions. Participants receive a certificate upon module completion. The module is offered throughout the year, with periodic reminders sent out to motivate participation. Moreover, clinical advisors along with student moderators are chosen each year to help keep the module updated with the latest information.
Results
Presently, 194 medical students and 78 employees (faculty and staff) are enrolled in the course. The average end-of-module quiz score is 98%. Feedback from implementation surveys indicated enhanced participant confidence in identifying human trafficking survivors, knowledge of local resources available to survivors, and a greater understanding of the importance of human trafficking training.
Conclusion
The development and implementation of this module are straightforward, advantageous, and budget-friendly. The progress can be easily monitored, and its adoption is practical and sustainable. However, because participation in the module is optional, reaching a full completion rate can be difficult. This module promotes diverse training approaches for multiple healthcare professionals and can be executed each academic year across various institutions.