Enhancing the health care experiences of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse

This article addresses the medical issues presented by women who were sexua lly abused in childhood and provides a detailed and direct link between the existing literature and its implications for the medical system. A profile of the sexual abuse survivor is given, including child sexual abuse (CSA) characteristics and sequelae that influence the adult female survivor's hea lth. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is outlined as part of a complex interp lay of physiological and psychological symptomatology that can compromise t he CSA survivor's ability to access health care treatment and forge a posit ive provider/patient relationship. This article emphasizes that effective t reatment with sexual abuse survivors must include interdisciplinary collabo ration among health care professionals. Management of the CSA patient, a ca se vignette illustrating salient themes, and finally, guidelines for the he alth care practitioner are presented.