Cleveland Clinic Akron General Akron OH Improving Primary Care Follow-Up After Sexual Assault

摘要

Background:More than 320,000 US adults are sexually assaulted yearly. Sexual assault nurse examiners provide trauma care and perform forensic medical examinations and evidence collection. Medical follow-up after sexual assault plays a significant role in the physical, mental, and emotional healing process. Essential care provided at a primary care follow-up after the initial forensic medical examination includes injury and medication follow-up, sexually transmitted infections testing, and referrals for counseling and/or advocacy. Historically, the reported follow-up rates after a medical forensic examination for sexual assault are low (31%-35%). Patients who suffer sexual assault often experience a disparity in follow-up healthcare and treatment of related and subsequent medical and psychiatric conditions.