Anti-Human Trafficking in Health Care: An Invitation to Anesthesiology.

Abstract

While anesthesiology as a discipline has yet to formally recognize its role in combatting human trafficking, the authors contend that anesthesiologists are positioned to detect signs of human trafficking and facilitate trafficking screening during clinical scenarios unique to this specialty. This article presents evidence for the likelihood that anesthesiologists are unknowingly interacting with trafficking victims and survivors, particularly on labor and delivery wards. Regarding academic scholarship, this article highlights the notable absence of existing anesthesiology-specific literature focusing on human trafficking. An invitation is extended to anesthesiology as a discipline to join the anti-human trafficking movement within health care through clinical engagement and academic scholarship.