A Human Trafficking Educational Program and Point-of-Care Reference Tool for Pediatric Residents

Date of Review: May, 2023

This resource from MedEdPORTAL is an educational program for pediatric residents that provides a trauma/survivor-informed knowledge and a tool for point-of-care reference aimed to improve identification of and support for patients who may be victims of human-trafficking (HT). The content was developed with the input from a real local human trafficking (HT) survivor and led by this individual and two other healthcare practitioners with experience and work on the topic. The focus on pediatrics is grounded on the fact that a significant proportion of HT victims are between 15-17 years old. It has a strong literature review component, with eye-opening data and catchy power-point presentation slides with sections devoted for interaction with the audience (see appendix materials). Total duration is about 1 hour and 20min and done in small groups with facilitation. The main educational areas explored include (1) identifying the potential trafficked child, (2) fact-based knowledge of HT including its prevalence and deleterious health outcomes, (3) Historical risk factors for HT, and (4) comfort of participants in managing potential HT victims.  Strengths include: excellent didactics/well researched factual material, adaptability to a virtual-only format, a hands-on point of care reference card that was given to participants with key information to help manage potential HT cases, and design/implementation in close collaboration with a survivor of HT from the local community. This is a critical  but a significant limiting factor as this might require a faculty member with a relationship with an HT survivor who could help facilitate and design the workshop. Cost is another limiting factor to pay for the laminated reference cards and consultant fees but a smaller hurdle to overcome. Authors embedded the sessions in the residency program’s educational protected time, ensuring attendance. This would be easy to embed into pediatric residency programs and into clinical pediatric clerkships. Alexandre Carvalho, MD MPH, ID Fellow (edited by: Ashti Doobay-Persaud, MD)

Corresponding Author’s Email:

anjaliga07@gmail.com

Institution:

Case Western Reserve

Where was the Curriculum Implemented:

Cleveland, OH

Relevant Clinical Specialty:

Pediatrics

Outcomes that Have Been Reported for the Curriculum:

Measured in learner knowledge

Outcome and Study Design:

Pre/post

Level of Learner Assessment

Knowledge Acquisition (MCQ, IRAT, GRAT)