Continuing education about physically abusive relationships: does education change the perceptions of health care practitioners?
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of mandatory continuing education for domestic violence.


METHODS
This study surveyed health care professionals attending the 1993 and 1997 National Perinatal Association Conference in Florida to determine change their awareness and identification of pregnant women involved in physically abusive relationships.


RESULTS
Even though in 1993 Florida initiated a mandatory 1-hour continuing education credit on domestic violence, the findings report that there were no statistically significant changes for awareness and identification. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the availability of patient education materials within the 4-year period.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the 1993 and 1997 respondents expressed a desire for more professional education related to domestic violence.
Perrin
K M
KM
College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612, USA.
Boyett
T R
TR
McDermott
R J
RJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires