Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program goals and patient care practices.
OBJECTIVE
To examine Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) programs' goals and guiding philosophies and how they influence patient care practices for sexual assault victims.


METHODS
Data were collected from a national random sample of SANE to examine whether programs differed significantly in their goals and patient care practices.


METHODS
Iterative cluster analysis was used to identify types of programs distinct in their stated goals.


RESULTS
Three types of emphasis in SANE programs were identified: (a) prosecution of cases as a primary goal; (b) attending to patients' emotional needs, supporting feminist values, empowering patients, and changing the community response to rape; and (c) least importance on prosecution of cases and average importance on the other goals. Programs that were more focused on prosecution goals provided less comprehensive patient services.


CONCLUSIONS
Programs focused on prosecution as a primary goal were less likely to provide comprehensive services, especially those involving patient education. Such information is important for patients because their health concerns (e.g., pregnancy, STIs) have long-term implications for their well-being. Historical and structural differences among SANE programs might explain these different patient care practices. Researchers should examine the underlying processes in SANE programs that shape both their goals and patient care approaches.
Patterson
Debra
D
Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 127C Psychology Building, East Lansing, Ml 48824-1116, USA.
Campbell
Rebecca
R
Townsend
Stephanie M
SM
D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health