Participatory Evaluation Project to Measure SANE Nursing Practice and Adult Sexual Assault Patients' Psychological Well-Being

• NCJ Number: 222823
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Nursing Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: 2008 Pages: 19-28
• Author(s): Rebecca Campbell Ph.D.; Debra Patterson M.S.W., M.A.; Adrienne E. Adams M.A.; Renae Diegel R.N.; Sue Coats M.S.W.
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper describes a collaborative project between researchers and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program to develop an evaluation survey of SANE nursing practice and patient psychological well-being.

Abstract

Results identified that nursing practices were consistent with the empowering care philosophy as the overwhelming majority of patients reported positive psychological well-being outcomes. The work of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs is complex and multifaceted as nurses must attend simultaneously to sexual assault patients' psychological, medical, forensic, and legal needs. The team of researchers developed a logic model of empowering care, which was defined as providing healthcare, support, and resources; treating survivors with dignity and respect; believing their stories; helping them re-instate control and choice; and respecting patients’ decisions. A corresponding survey was developed to be administered to patients following exam procedures. Two primary benefits from the project that have broader implications for forensic nursing practice were identified. First, participatory evaluation projects can strengthen the evaluation capacity of SANE programs. By working through this six-step model, the nurses, advocates, and administrative staff in this SANE program gained new information, knowledge, and expertise in program evaluation. Developing evaluation capacity enhanced the SANE programs’ sustainability as many grant funders require evaluation. As SANE programs diversify their funding sources, it is to be expected that they will face increased demand for evaluation of their services. Second, the program evaluation provided an opportunity to solicit feedback directly from patients which helped program staff focus on targeted areas for improvement. This project used a participatory evaluation approach to co-develop a survey measuring SANE nursing care practice and patients’ short-term psychological outcomes which was tested on 52 sexual assault victims. Tables, references