Patient and Healthcare Provider Satisfaction with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs): A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence. In countries like the US, UK, and Canada, victims are often cared for by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), who are trained to conduct forensic exams and offer emotional support, reducing the risk of retraumatisation. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the satisfaction of patients and healthcare professionals with SANEs' services. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, selecting studies that focused on patient and healthcare provider satisfaction with SANEs' services. Results: In total, nine studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analysed. Of these, 55% focused on healthcare provider satisfaction, while 44% examined the experiences of sexual assault survivors. All studies examining patient satisfaction with the care provided by SANE professionals (n = 3) reported satisfaction levels exceeding 90%, with many users highly recommending their services. Conclusions: The role of sexual assault nurse examiners is crucial in providing victims with a safe environment and quality of care, and in reducing the risk of retraumatisation.