CPR Director Isle Polonko Published in “The University of São Paulo Nursing School Journal” [“Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP”, REEUSP]

On June 28, 2021, CPR Director Isle Polonko’s article “Planning and implementation of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner course to assist victims of sexual violence: an experience report” was published in The University of São Paulo Nursing School Journal [Portugese: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, abbreviated as REEUSP].

The article was co-authored by Juliana de Oliveira Musse Silva (Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Sergipe), Eileen Marie Allen (Monmouth University), Karen Beatriz Silva (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), Rita de Cassia Silva (Helping Hand of Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), and Rafael Braga Esteves (Universidade de São Paulo).

The article offers a case study of the 2019 formation of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program that featured the use of Forensic Gynecological Teaching Associates (GTAs), in Aracaju, Brazil. The program was sponsored by Brazilian Society of Forensic Nursing [Portugese: Sociedad Brasileira de Enfermagem Forense, abbreviated as SOBEF] and Tiradentes University, in conjunction with Society of Brasilia Victims of Sexual Assault.

The program, which was an overwhelming success, was the first of its kind not only in Brazil, but in the entire region of South America, in its use of both SANE and GTA methodologies. More information about this groundbreaking program, and Ms. Polonko’s involvement, can be found on our blog HERE and HERE.

On the subject of the publication of this article, Ms. Polonko had to say:

“It is a great honor to have recognized the labor and dedication that went into the creation of this program. I especially wish to highlight the extraordinary cohort of 13 GTAs whom I had the distinct pleasure of training, alongside my friend and colleague Eileen Allen, and our phenomenal interpreter Wesley Augusto de Jesus Santos.

I could not be more proud of these women who, through their determination, passion, and courage, are now the first health educators practicing GTA and SANE methodology in the entirety of South America. What they have accomplished here is truly unprecedented. Even more extraordinary is the fact that, as it was in 2019, their labor continues to be on a volunteer basis. The dedication of these GTAs, and the lengths they will go to positively impact their communities, moves me to this day. It is truly a privilege to have these tremendous educators as members of our global GTA family, and I am confident that institutions around the world will be looking to their pioneering work as an example of what the future of public health can look like.

I offer my acknowledgement and gratitude to my colleagues and co-authors: Eileen Allen; Rita Silva; Juliana Musse, the administrator responsible for managing and bringing the program to Aracaju; Karen Silva, our liaison; and Rafael Braga, our contact author.

Thank you for all you have contributed in seeing this project from inception to publication – I look forward to what comes next. Obrigado a todos!”

This is Ms. Polonko’s first time being published in REEUSP, and her third publication overall.

Previously, she was cited in the journals BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning (“Genital exam education and instruction: lowering anxiety and raising competence”) and Clinical Simulation in Nursing (“Success of the First Gynecological Teaching Associate Program in Turkey”).

More information about Ms. Polonko may be found HERE.

To access the article (available in English, Portugese, and Spanish), click HERE.

About Clinical Practice Resources (CPR)

Clinical Practice Resources for training and education (CPR-te) provides clinical skills training via Gynecologic Teaching Associates and Male Urological Teaching Associates. GTAs and MUTAs utilize patient empowerment techniques in curriculum that is focused on patient-centered care.

Serving Ivy League universities to small family practice centers, CPR-te’s clinical skills training courses and other programs customized to meet the needs of learners in each setting.

To learn more about CPR, click HERE.