Background An estimated 27.6 million people are victims of human trafficking worldwide. In 2021, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline received 10,359 reports of human trafficking. Victims of human trafficking may be forced into labor, sex trafficking, or involuntary domestic servitude, often enduring severe physical, psychological, and emotional trauma. Traffickers frequently target the most vulnerable, exploiting their lack of resources, stability, or support networks. Due to the complex and critical needs of trafficking victims, healthcare professionals play a vital role in identifying and providing care to these patients. However, many healthcare professionals may feel unequipped or insufficiently trained to identify signs of trafficking and provide resources to those seeking care. This gap in knowledge and training can result in missed opportunities to offer support and resources to victims seeking care.

Methods In collaboration with the University of Miami’s THRIVE clinic, medical students developed educational resources and compiled them as a module delivered through the Canvas e-learning platform. This module includes an educational seminar, a trauma-informed physical exam guide, local and national resource links, and an optional 20-question quiz. Participants receive a certificate upon module completion. The module is available year-round, with regular reminders sent to encourage participation. Additionally, a clinical advisor and yearly selected student moderators ensure the module remains updated with current information.

Results Currently, 194 medical students and 78 employees (faculty and staff) are enrolled in the course, with an average quiz score of 98%. Feedback from initial implementation surveys indicated enhanced participant confidence in identifying human trafficking survivors, knowledge of local resources available to survivors, and a greater understanding of the importance of human trafficking training.

Conclusion To effectively support trafficking patients, healthcare professionals require training to identify signs of trafficking and respond in a sensitive and effective manner. Enhanced training programs are essential for empowering providers to combat human trafficking. Educational resources available through e-learning platforms can benefit medical students, faculty, staff, and other professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge. These courses include modules, seminars, and information on national and local support services. Creating and implementing these courses is straightforward and cost-effective, allowing for trackable progress. However, a current challenge lies in the optional nature of the courses, leading to lower completion rates. Despite this, adopting these courses is feasible and sustainable, providing a comprehensive approach to training healthcare professionals. The goal is to develop a CME-accredited course for professionals to meet Human Trafficking training requirements in states where mandated.