Prior to attending MCW-Milwaukee, Aylinh Eng joined a University of Massachusetts psychology lab as an undergraduate researcher. Her first research project collected demography of sexual abuse survivors, studying impact statements to find themes of agency, communion, abuse, and trauma resolutions as part of a qualitative study. Uncovering the depth of trauma that survivors and their families carried, especially in the context of health care settings, inspired Eng to take action in her community. She started volunteering as a hotline crisis counselor and medical advocate at a local rape crisis center, and currently co-leads health advocacy efforts in pregnancy and infancy at a women’s shelter in Milwaukee.
When Eng applied for a Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) Fellowship, she wanted to gain experience in clinical education and continue researching to further develop the skills of an evidence-based physician who provides quality patient care. Eng continues to advocate for sexual violence survivors and inspires others to act. Working alongside physician mentors Rachel Segal, MD, MPH, FAAP, and Angela Rabbit, DO, on the project titled 'Caring for Sexual Violence Survivors as Clinicians', Eng set out to create an interactive learning module designed to equip future physicians with the skills to respond to sexual violence.
Limited data available through the Association of American Medical Colleges showing sexual violence education in curriculums across medical schools and residency programs is indicative of why this work is so important. This project included a comprehensive literature review, research into existing programs and laws related to sexual violence in Wisconsin, and conducting a needs assessment.
Eng interviewed advocates and professionals from a variety of organizations and stakeholders in the field of sexual violence support and advocacy in Wisconsin to assess themes of survivor needs. The top three common themes included addressing medical concerns (STIs, pregnancy, HIV PEP), receiving trauma-informed care, and reducing systemic, cultural, and practical barriers to care. Many survivors don’t complete treatment due to cost, barriers to access, or lack of education about the services. Patient autonomy and trauma-informed care were also stressed as determinants to quality of care and establishing patient-clinician trust.
The project resulted in the development of learning modules intended for medical students and health care professionals with a focus on culturally-competent trauma-informed care, guided by the needs assessment findings. Learners complete a pre- and post-module survey, and cover topics ranging from care frameworks, how to make appropriate referrals, resources available in Wisconsin, and more. The modules encourage clinicians to adopt shared decision-making with patients and individualized care practices to reduce burden of treatment.
Eng reflected, “I am now aware of many more organizations in Wisconsin working to support survivors of sexual violence and the specific services that they each provide. I also received constructive feedback from my physician mentors through my work. Sexual assault advocacy has always been something I’m passionate about and I’m grateful to be able to create a module about it and hope to share it with other students once it is finalized.”
The Foundation is proud to offer fellowship opportunities to Wisconsin medical students. Fellowships offer students the opportunity to work under the guidance of a Wisconsin physician on a health education or research project to advance the health of the people of Wisconsin, providing Wisconsin medical students hands-on experiences working in communities or with specific patient populations to address a health concern, integrating their knowledge of resources available. Supporting fellowships such as Eng’s not only benefits the students, but Wisconsin patients and their families.
Please consider supporting important medical research of Wisconsin physicians and students through the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Fellowship Fund. For more information about this, or any Foundation program, please contact Program Director Yoshie Wingate.
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