title: Violence against women: the role of orthopaedic nurses in the identification, assessment, treatment, and care for the abused woman.
abstract: Violence against women is a significant public health problem that affects women of all age groups across the life span. This article presents a review of domestic violence against women and outlines the role of orthopaedic nurses in the identification, assessment, treatment, and care of women patients with injuries or medical problems sustained as a result of domestic abuse from an intimate other. Key interventions for the treatment and care of abused women include (a) acknowledging the abuse, (b) discussing safety planning, (c) discussing the pattern of abuse, (d) anticipating and respecting the partial denial, (e) reassuring the woman that abuse is not her fault; (f) informing the woman that no one deserves to be abused, (g) telling the woman gently that help is available, (h) reminding the woman that domestic violence is a crime, (i) referring to community resources, and (j) allowing the woman to decide which support services and options are safe for her situation.
authors.affiliation: Acute/Tertiary Nursing Department, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Varvaro
mesh_terms: D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*