1. Sexual Assault and Confidentiality in Adolescent Minors
Tanuja Sharma MD, Janice Benson MD, Pooja Saigal MD
University of Chicago Northshore Family Medicine Residency Program
ABSTRACT
RESULTS
RESULTS (CONT.)
Sexual assault in minors is a serious and underestimated issue in our nation that can present in various clinical settings beyond just the ED. Resident and attending physicians do not routinely receive formal training on caring for sexually assaulted minors and their families. In addition documentation of the findings in the evidence rape kit, and the legal aspect of confidentiality laws in minors are skills that are not familiar to most trainees. In fact, most primary care providers indicate that they would prefer to have subspecialist assistance them with the management of such cases. This is unfortunate because primary care providers likely have the closest relationship with patients and would be the most appropriate providers in these types of situations. In February 2015 a one-hour didactic small group interactive session was held for the University of Chicago (Northshore) Family Medicine residents and attending physicians.
“Awesome. We need more of this”
“Great topic”
“We need more time in small group sessions and for questions”
DISCUSSION
A dedicated one-hour didactic small group interactive session has made a positive impact on our residents and attending physicians
Our quantitative and qualitative data shows a significant improvement in the specific categories of:
Knowledge of the IL laws
Comfort of interviewing and performing PE
Self assessed competency of interviewing and performing PE
Awareness of the available resources
PURPOSE
A targeted needs assessment on the University of Chicago (Northshore) Family Medicine residents and attending physician’s reveal that out of 22 responses, >62% of our residents and attendings are not comfortable with their skills in interviewing and examining a sexually assaulted minor confirming the importance of dedicated teaching on this topic.
Qualitative data and quantitative data was gathered from pre and post questionnaires.
Results separated into two groups of residents and attending
Number of residents = 11, Number of attendings = 4
Attending Themes:
Higher overall scores
More familiarity of adult cases
Less dramatic improvement of scores of IL laws and resources
Lowest scores in PE skills and comfort
Resident Themes:
Lower overall scores
More time desired for small group case discussion
Lowest scores in PE skills and comfort
Future: increase more time spent on small group case discussion, incorporate hands on model/OSCE to evaluate competency of PE skills
METHODS
PRE-INTERVENTION:
Pretest questionnaire at the beginning of the session
SESSION:
Didactic presentation
Evidence rape kit
Facilitated small group discussions
Handouts of Illinois confidentiality laws
Pocket cards of sexual assault guidelines and resources
POST-INTERVENTION:
Posttest questionnaire at the end of the session
CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant lack of training in caring for a sexually assaulted minor and their families. A 1 hour didactic and interactive session has made a positive impact in the degree of competency and comfort in caring for the residents and attendings of this residency program.
CONTACT
Dr Tanuja Sharma,
University of Chicago Northshore Family Medicine Residency Program
Glenbrook Family Care Center Pfingsten Road #200 Glenview IL Partially supported by DHHS grant #D55HP20647
Qualitative data and quantitative data was gathered from pre and post questionnaires.
Results separated into two groups of residents and attending
Number of residents = 11, Number of attendings = 4