The effect of lecture and a standardized patient encounter on medical student rape myth acceptance and attitudes toward screening patients for a history of sexual assault.
BACKGROUND
Most physicians fail to routinely screen patients for a history of sexual assault.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to gauge medical student support for routinely screening patients for a history of sexual assault, examine potential barriers to screening, and determine if attitudes can be changed through educational interventions.


METHODS
One hundred three 2nd-year medical students completed a survey before and after a lecture on sexual assault (response rate = 94/103 and 90/103, respectively). The questionnaire was administered a third time following a standardized patient encounter with a female rape victim (response rate = 102/103).


RESULTS
Most medical students agreed that patients should be screened for sexual victimization. Students showed low levels of rape myth acceptance. Agreement with rape myths correlated with increased screening hesitancy. Statistically significant gender differences were observed. Following educational sessions, students expressed less rape myth acceptance and more comfort screening.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual assault education can diminish rape myth acceptance and promote screening for sexual assault.
Milone
Jennifer M
JM
College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Burg
Mary Ann
MA
Duerson
Margaret C
MC
Hagen
Melanie G
MG
Pauly
Rebecca R
RR
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008487:Medical History Taking; D011902:Rape / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult