A qualitative study of the roles, motivations, and challenges of academic veterinary technicians.

OBJECTIVE: A qualitative study based on one-on-one interviews was conducted to better understand the role of the academic veterinary technician (AVT) and identify the motivations and challenges that AVTs face during their academic careers. SAMPLE: 34 AVTs from 12 accredited US colleges of veterinary medicine. PROCEDURES: Virtual, semi-structured interviews were conducted between July and December 2020. Transcripts were analyzed using discourse analysis within the context of social identity theory. RESULTS: Five themes and seven accompanying sub-themes emerged: one title but many roles and responsibilities (professional/work; other obligations); workplace culture (belonging/inclusivity, administrative/policies); unique challenges of being in the ivory tower (impostor syndrome, educator role, technical skills for academia); entry into the profession and career progression; and motivation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: AVTs have great passion for and dedication to their profession. Overwhelmingly, they want their voices to be heard and their skillsets to be both utilized and respected. Recognition of and consideration for the themes uncovered in this study may help to better support and retain technicians in their academic career paths.

Nonoccupational Postexposure Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prophylaxis: Acceptance Following Sexual Assault.

BACKGROUND: Nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for HIV following sexual assault may decrease the likelihood of HIV transmission. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this exploratory chart review study was to examine factors associated with patients accepting post-sexual assault nPEP at three forensic nurse examiner programs in urban settings. METHODS: Forensic nursing charts of patients presenting for acute sexual assault care were reviewed as part of a mixed-methods study. RESULTS: Patients assaulted by more than one or an unknown number of assailants were over 12 times more likely to accept the offer of nPEP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 12.66, 95% CI [2.77, 57.82]). In cases where no condom was used (aOR = 8.57, 95% CI [1.59, 46.10]) or when any injury to the anus or genitalia was noted (aOR = 4.10, 95% CI [1.57, 10.75]), patients were more likely to accept nPEP. Patients with any injury to the face or head were less likely to initiate nPEP (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.11, 0.97]). DISCUSSION: This study is an important first step in understanding factors associated with nPEP acceptance after sexual assault.

Factors Associated With Forensic Nurses Offering HIV nPEP Status Post Sexual Assault.

Nonoccupational, postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is offered inconsistently to patients who have been sexually assaulted. This may be due to Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) programs utilizing diverse nPEP protocols and HIV risk assessment algorithms. This study examines factors associated with FNEs offering nPEP to patients following sexual assault at two FNE programs in urban settings. Offering nPEP is mostly driven by site-specific protocol. At Site 1, in addition to open anal or open genital wounds, the presence of injury to the head or face was associated with FNEs offering nPEP (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 64.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.12, 1942.37]). At Site 2, patients assaulted by someone of Other race/ethnicity (non-White, non-African American) were 86% less likely to be offered nPEP (AOR 0.14, 95% CI = [.03, .72]) than patients assaulted by Whites. In addition to following site-specific protocols, future research should further explore the mechanisms influencing clinician decision making.

Receiving a forensic medical exam without participating in the criminal justice process: what will it mean?

UNLABELLED: As a result of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization of 2005, state governments must develop processes by which victims of sexual assault can receive a forensic medical exam without being required to cooperate with law enforcement, or participate in the criminal justice system. The benefits and barriers of five different models are reviewed: nonreport evidence collection, anonymous report, confidential mandated reporting, victimless prosecution or nonparticipation approach, and the military model of restricted and unrestricted reporting. As a result of VAWA mandates, hospitals and forensic nursing programs are confronted with additional issues related to evidence handling, transfer, and storage. IMPLICATIONS: Forensic nurses will play an important role in bringing their individual jurisdictions into compliance with the VAWA mandates.