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Exploring The Influence Of Trauma-Informed Care On Pelvic Examinations For Women, Sarah Dodge, Madison Child, Madison Shirland, Chloe Smith, Claudia Fox, Grace Fernandez

Non-Thesis Student Work

Trauma-informed care (TIC) has become increasingly common in discussions regarding women’s health. TIC refers to a clinical approach that implements compassion, respect, and acknowledges the impact of trauma on patients. In the United States, pelvic exams are routinely performed on women over 21 for gynecological abnormalities. Many of these women present with histories of post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and other psychological comorbidities. These histories greatly influence women’s behaviors, including their likelihood to seek gynecological care in fear of being retraumatized. A literature search was conducted to determine the impact of TIC on the rates of women …