The importance of maintaining medical professionalism while experiencing vicarious trauma when working with human trafficking victims

Author: Ramirez, J.; Gordon, M.; Reissinger, M.; Shah, A.'; Coverdale, J. & Nguyen, P.

Abstract: Providing health care services to human trafficking victims may negatively impact the psychological wellness and decision-making process of health care providers, especially mental health providers. This article highlights John Gregory’s concept of medical professionalism and discusses how the fundamental virtues, integrity, compassion, self-sacrifice, and self-effacement can guide health care providers in managing their work with trafficked patients. Recommendations are provided to health care providers, and the leadership of their institutions, to develop and support a professional culture of prevention and intervention for health care providers who experience psychological adversities related to their work with victims of human trafficking.

Keywords: vicarious trauma, health care providers, mental health providers, human trafficking