Abstract
Objective
This study aims to assess residents’ attitudes, knowledge, practices, and barriers in addressing intimate partner violence and create a curriculum targeting self-identified deficits.
Methods
The authors developed and distributed a survey to residents across multiple specialties at a large academic institution. A workshop was developed using obstetrics/gynecology residents’ data, with post-intervention data collected to assess for changes.
Results
One hundred forty-seven residents (41 %) completed the survey. Though all identified assessing intimate partner violence as physicians’ responsibility, only 40 % reported consistent screening with new female patients, 36 % with pregnant patients, and 18 % with post-partum patients. Half reported inadequate training and felt unprepared to counsel patients regarding intimate partner violence. Post-intervention data suggest gains in knowledge and perceived preparedness.
Conclusions
Although residents appreciate the significance of intimate partner violence assessment, in this particular institution few consistently perform or feel comfortable screening. Development of comprehensive intimate partner violence curricula is therefore critical.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Black MC, Basile KC, Breiding MJ, Smith SG, Walters ML, Merrick MT, et al. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 summary report. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011.
Black MC. Intimate partner violence and adverse health consequences: implications for clinicians. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2011;5:428–39.
Bonomi AE, Anderson ML, Reid RJ, Rivara FP, Carrell D, Thompson RS. Medical and psychosocial diagnoses in women with a history of intimate partner violence. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(18):1692–7.
Rodriguez MA, Bauer HM, McLoughlin E, Grumbach K. Screening and intervention for intimate partner abuse: practices and attitudes of primary care physicians. J Am Med Assoc. 1999;282:468–74.
Sprague S, Kaloty R, Madden K, Dosanjh S, Matthews DJ, Bhandari M. Perceptions of intimate partner violence: a cross-sectional survey of surgical residents and medical students. J Inj Violence Res. 2013;5(1):1–10.
Varjavand N, Cohen DG, Gracely EJ, Novack DH. A survey of residents’ attitudes and practices in screening for, managing, and documenting domestic violence. J Am Med Women’s Assoc. 2004;59:48–53.
Currier GW, Barthauer LM, Begier E, Bruce ML. Training and experience of psychiatric residents in identifying domestic violence. Psychiatr Serv. 1996;47(5):529–30.
McColgan MD, Cruz M, McKee J, Dempsey SH, Davis MB, Barry P, et al. Results of a multifaceted intimate partner violence training program for pediatric residents. Child Abuse Negl. 2010;34:275–83.
Baig A, Shadigian E, Heisler M. Hidden from plain sight: residents’ domestic violence screening attitudes and reported practices. J Gen Intern Med. 2006;21:949–54.
Park ER, Wolfe TJ, Gokhale M, Winickoff JP, Rigotti NA. Perceived preparedness to provide preventive counseling: reports of graduating primary care residents at academic health centers. J Gen Intern Med. 2005;20:386–91.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Judy Chang and Dr. Donald M. Yealy for the feedback during survey development as well as Dr. Laura McLafferty for the data and manuscript review.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Disclosures
The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any product mentioned or concept discussed in this article.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LaPlante, L.M., Gopalan, P. & Glance, J. Addressing Intimate Partner Violence: Reducing Barriers and Improving Residents’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practices. Acad Psychiatry 40, 825–828 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-016-0529-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-016-0529-8