Human Trafficking of Children and Adolescents

In this episode, Sam Ashoo, MD interviews Lela Bachrach, MD, MS, Larissa Truschel, MD, MPH, and Makini Chisolm-Straker, MD, MPH - the authors of the July 2022 PEMP article on Human Trafficking of Children and Adolescents: Recognition and Response in the Emergency Department. Listen to the discussion to hear more about the emergency medicine approach to human trafficking.

Human Trafficking of Children and Adolescents: Recognition and Response in the Emergency Department

EMplify - Sept 2022

Episode Outline:

Differential Diagnosis

• What is the differential diagnosis for this scenario in the ED?
• Are these diagnoses mutually exclusive ?

EMS/Prehospital Care

• What role do EMS providers play in the recognition of trafficking?

ED Evaluation

• What are common presentations/complaints that may represent trafficking?
• Examination: Privacy, use of a separate room, how do we accomplish this with minors?
• Ground rules: What does this mean? How do you state this in your practice? Do you find this dissuades patients form reporting?
• Technology: What if they are on the phone?
• History - HEADS-ED
• Physical examination - Findings that lead to suspicion, documentation best practices.

Diagnostic Studies

• Imaging: Any role for this?
• Lab testing: STI, anything else?
• Screening tools: Trauma-informed care, PEARR tool
• Local laws differ by state. How do we handle this with patients? Does it dissuade reporting?
• "Rescuing mentality" and what that means in the ED

Treatment

• Medical
• Beyond medicines: Local services, national hotline

Special Populations

Diagnosis: What to chart?

National Human Trafficking Hotline

https://humantraffickinghotline.org/