Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Care After a Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination.
Amanda K Gilmore, Ruschelle M Leone, Christine K Hahn and 2 others
PMID 33756526WHAT IT FOUND
Sexual assault survivors after a forensic exam reported more barriers to mental health care when PTSD symptoms were severe.
Uninsured people reported more barriers but were more likely to seek free care. Students and people with problematic drinking were less likely to seek care.
Key findings
01More PTSD symptoms were associated with greater barriers to accessing mental health care in the full model.
02People without insurance reported more barriers to care, but they were more likely to seek care if it was free.
03Students and people with more problematic drinking were less likely to seek post-SAMFE care, while people with more PTSD symptoms were more likely to seek care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 37 of 194 invited people consented, so non-responders may have had different barriers. The sample was small, from one hospital, and mostly White and female. Participants had already received a sexual assault medical forensic exam, so results may not apply to people who did not. Symptoms and barriers were measured at one time, so the study cannot show what caused what. Actual receipt of mental health care was not checked; only self-reported barriers and stated likelihood were assessed. Sexual orientation was not examined.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that screening or warm handoffs improve access. The study did not test an intervention, and it did not check whether participants actually received follow-up care.