Assessment of emergency healthcare worker knowledge of indicators of human trafficking

Abstract

Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar industry and Toledo, Ohio has been identified as a hub of human trafficking activity. Current literature identified that healthcare providers working in emergency departments, urgent care centers, and physician offices (nurses, physician assistants, and physicians) are in positions to identify victims of human trafficking and help with rescue. Current curricular guidance for healthcare education did not include specific information on indicators of human trafficking and resources to assist with rescue and recovery. The human trafficking awareness study was completed to determine if healthcare providers working in nine Toledo, Ohio area emergency departments had knowledge of the indicators of human trafficking and of the resources to help victims. The study design also afforded the opportunity to provide healthcare workers in these organizations’ information about indicators of human trafficking and local, state and national resources to help victims with rescue and recovery.