Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Inside "Pandora's box": abused women's experience with clinicians and health services
Other Titles:	Journal of internal medicine
Authors:	Jenckes, Mollie W Ford, Daniel E McCauley, Jeanne Yurk, Robin A
Keywords:	Mental health;Health
Year:	1998
Publisher:	Blackwell Scientific
Citation:	13 (8), August 1998
Notes:	Outlines the design and findings of a series of focus groups conducted with female victims of domestic violence in community mental health centres and one women’s shelter in the US. The groups aimed to explore women’s experiences and perceptions of the health care system and what they perceived to be the major barriers and facilitators to disclosure of abuse in the clinical setting. Women’s suggestions for potential interventions were also sought. Major issues raised by the women included the tendency for medical problems to be exacerbated by abuse, ability to access medical care being hindered by the perpetrator, and feelings of shame and guilt which prevented disclosure in the health care setting. Judgmental attitudes of health professionals were seen as barriers while referrals to women’s groups or other agencies were generally deemed beneficial. Gender of staff was not viewed as of primary importance. Concludes that the medical system has not dealt adequately with the relationship between medical service utilisation and domestic violence and argues that a better understanding of domestic violence issues amongst health care professionals could help reduce fears of opening “Pandora’s Box”.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/15287
ISSN:	9546820
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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