Resources for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals play a critical role in responding to sexual violence. Providing care to patients who have experienced sexual violence requires an understanding of trauma-informed, patient-centered approaches, in addition to applicable legal and professional responsibilities. To support Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), physicians, physician assistants, nurses, healthcare administrators, and other healthcare professionals, the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force (SASTF) has compiled the following resources and training opportunities.

Healthcare professionals play a critical role in responding to sexual violence. Providing care to patients who have experienced sexual violence requires an understanding of trauma-informed, patient-centered approaches, in addition to applicable legal and professional responsibilities. To support Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), physicians, physician assistants, nurses, healthcare administrators, and other healthcare professionals, the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Task Force (SASTF) has compiled the following resources and training opportunities. Mandated Forensic Evidence Collection Training for Physicians and Physician Assistants The 89th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 47, SASTF’s Omnibus Bill, requiring emergency room physicians and physician assistants (PAs) to complete at least two hours of continuing medical education relating to forensic evidence collection. The purpose of this training is to equip physicians and PAs who may encounter sexual assault survivors and conduct Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFEs) with the skills to provide proper trauma-informed care and maintain the integrity of evidence collected. HB 47 dictates that this training must provide instruction on the provision of trauma-informed care to sexual assault survivors, appropriate community referrals and prophylactic medications, the rights of a sexual assault survivor, forensic evidence collection methods, and applicable state law pertaining to the custody, transfer, and tracking of forensic evidence. The requirement will begin for physicians and PAs whose licenses expire on February 28, 2027. For more information on the mandated forensic evidence collection training, please visit the following Texas Medical Board webpages and scroll to the Forensic Evidence Sections. Continuing Education Requirements for Physicians Continuing Education Requirements for Physician Assistants