Navigating the encounter when you suspect trafficking

The meaning of support should be determined by the patient him/her/their self given the severe coercion and manipulation that defines exploitation. In few other areas of medicine is trauma-informed care more critical than when interacting with this patient population. The dermatologist’s goal is not to obtain a disclosure about trafficking, but to build rapport, provide trauma-informed care, and potentially obtain enough information so that they can respond to the individual’s needs, as appropriate.

• Approach encounter in a trauma-informed manner

• Be aware of potential signs of trafficking and exploitation that indicate a need for further assessment

• Understand that patients are unlikely to identify as victims of trafficking due to the traumatizing effects of exploitation

How to handle a patient encounter when you suspect trafficking

In this video, Abigail Judge, PhD, a national expert on trafficking from the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, speaks with Rachel Niemiec, DNP, FNP-C, former nurse examiner and trafficking survivor advocate, on principles of trauma-informed care and pearls for navigating a visit where trafficking is suspected.

Thank you to Anthony Martinez, Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy for videography and video production.