Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Emergency department care of women experiencing intimate partner violence: are we doing all we can?
Other Titles:	Contemporary nurse : a journal for the Australian nursing profession
Authors:	Reisenhofer, Sonia Siebold, Carmel
Keywords:	Screening
Year:	2007
Publisher:	Hyde Park Press
Citation:	24 (1), February 2007
Notes:	General overview: This paper examines why women who are experiencing intimate partner violence do not disclose the violence when they attend emergency departments. It considers how health care workers can encourage disclosure and respond appropriately. Objective: The authors ask when and why are women likely to disclose intimate partner violence in an emergency department and, if a disclosure is made, whether they receive appropriate care and support. The objective of the study was to determine whether the care provided to women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) is following current best practice. Methods: The authors reviewed the literature on the prevalence of intimate partner violence, risk factors and the cost to women, their children and the community. The literature on screening for IPV in emergency departments was also examined. Results: Research indicates that an emergency department is often the first point of contact for a woman experiencing IPV. However emergency department staffs identify less than 5 – 10% of women experiencing IPV as requiring management resulting from IPV. This may be because the women often present with symptoms not related directly to trauma. One study showed that of the 198 women surveyed, 35% were experiencing IPV but only 1% of those attended the emergency department with traumatic injuries. Currently, screening for IPV is not undertaken in all Australian emergency departments. In part, this is because some women object to questioning regarding IPV. In New South Wales, routing screening is conducted in some antenatal, early childhood health, mental health care and alcohol and drug services. 97% of women surveyed approve of health care workers asking questions regarding IPV. There is limited research regarding the effectiveness of screening to reduce violence or improve women's health. Some health workers avoid asking about IPV because of lack of privacy, feeling unprepared to deal with disclosure, fear of offending patients and the belief that nothing will change. Patients indicate that they will disclose if questioned with respect, in privacy and in an unhurried manner. However, they fear being blamed for the abuse, not being taken seriously and having the police involved without their consent. Questioning women about IPV gives the message that it is safe to discuss violence and can be an important step towards ending the violence. Recommendations for future research include the development of effective screening tools, factors encouraging patient disclosure, factors encouraging health workers to discuss IPV, staff training and effective interventions after disclosure. [?1992-2009 eContent Management. All rights reserved. For further information, visit Contemporary Nurse.]
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/14535
ISSN:	10376178
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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