Support for emergency department screening for intimate partner violence depends on perceived risk

J Interpers Violence. 2006 May;21(5):585-96. doi: 10.1177/0886260506286841.

Abstract

Emergency department (ED) screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) faces logistic difficulties and has uncertain efficacy. We surveyed 146 ED visitors and 108 ED care providers to compare their support for ED IPV screening in three hypothetical scenarios of varying IPV risk. Visitor support for screening was 5 times higher for the high-risk (86%) than for the low-risk (17%) scenario. Providers showed significantly more support for the need for ED IPV screening than visitors. Controlling for confounding by gender, race, experience with IPV, hospital, and marital status did not affect comparisons between groups. These responses indicate greater support for IPV screening in the ED for high-risk than for low-risk cases, particularly among visitors.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical History Taking / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment / organization & administration*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Primary Prevention / organization & administration
  • Professional-Patient Relations*
  • Social Perception
  • Spouse Abuse / diagnosis*
  • Spouse Abuse / prevention & control
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States