Abstract
Introduction
The purpose of this study is to understand the pre-examination worries of individuals
who experience sexual assault, and whether those worries were experienced or resolved
during a telehealth-enabled, sexual assault nurse examiner-led sexual assault examination.
Methods
Patient surveys were administered to understand pre-examination worries, whether those
worries were ultimately experienced during the consultation, and patient perceptions
of care quality, telehealth consultation, and whether the examination helped individuals
feel better. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and binomial
proportion tests.
Results
Surveys were collected from 74 adolescents and adults who obtained sexual assault
care at 6 rural and 2 suburban hospitals. Study findings showed individuals overcome
substantial worries to access care, with 66% having at least 1 worry and 41% endorsing
3 or more pre-examination worries. Most participants felt believed (83%) and did not
feel judged (88%) or blamed (85%) during their examination. Analysis of pre-examination
worries and worry resolution during the examination showed 88% to 100% resolution
of worries related to being believed, judged, blamed or lacking control. Participants
highly rated the quality of care received (92%) and 84% stated the examination helped
them feel better, suggesting a sexual assault nurse examiner-led examination is an
important step toward recovery and healing.
Discussion
These findings have implications for emergency department support for sexual assault
nurse examiner-led care and public health messaging to demystify sexual assault care,
allay fears, and highlight care benefits.
Key words
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Biography
Sheridan Miyamoto is Associate Professor and Director of the SAFE-T Center, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Twitter: @SWMiyamoto. ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0494-1839.
Biography
Elizabeth Thiede is Doctoral Student, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4596-4965.
Biography
Cameron Richardson is Assistant Research Professor, Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4998-2012.
Biography
Elizabeth N. Wright is Post-Doctoral Scholar, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0923-3965.
Biography
Cynthia Bittner is Assistant Director of the SAFE-T Center, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 12, 2022
Footnotes
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Copyright
© 2022 Emergency Nurses Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
