New rural health research involving UCRH and University of Sydney medical students is shedding light on the challenges people face when seeking care after sexual assault.
The study, Access to acute medical and forensic care for adolescents and adults who have experienced sexual assault: a systematic scoping review, was published in Sex Health. UCRH researcher Natalie Edmiston worked as a co-author alongside former medical students Jessica Rogers and Chloe Griffin, who completed the project during their rural placement.
The review brings together research from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland to better understand what helps or hinders people in getting urgent medical and forensic care after sexual assault.
It found that some parts of access are talked about more than others. Services being visible, easy to reach and suited to people’s needs were commonly explored. In contrast, issues like cost and affordability were rarely examined, despite being important for many people.
The research also highlights a gap in understanding the patient experience. There is limited evidence about how people recognise the need for care and what influences their decision to seek help. This points to a need for more research that centres the voices and experiences of those affected.
The publication reflects the important role students can play in meaningful research during rural placements, contributing to real-world issues that affect communities.
By contributing to this work, the team has added to the growing evidence base needed to improve how care is delivered and accessed following sexual assault.
