Spouse/partner violence education as a predictor of screening practices among physicians.
BACKGROUND
Spouse/partner violence is a major public health problem that affects 3 to 6 million women per year. Many studies show that the majority of health care practitioners do not detect or respond to cases of spouse/partner violence in their practice. Research suggests that there are potential barriers to reporting or detecting this problem. A barrier often cited is lack of proper education or training regarding spouse/partner violence. The objective of this study was to determine if physicians who received spouse/partner violence education at various stages of their careers were more likely to screen patients for spouse/partner violence.


METHODS
A survey was developed and administered to family physicians and obstetricians/gynecologists in Virginia. The data were analyzed to determine screening practice and spouse/partner violence education among respondents. Four different educational opportunities were analyzed to determine potential determinants of screening.


RESULTS
All respondents who had spouse/partner violence education were more likely to screen every patient than those who were lacking this education. Receiving lectures during residency training was found to be a significant predictor of screening every patient for spouse/partner violence among respondents.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening every patient for exposure to spouse/partner violence is the ideal situation. This study indicates that education about spouse/partner violence has a significant impact on screening tendencies if provided during a physician's residency program.
Sitterding
Heather A
HA
Child Transportation Safety Program, Center for Injury and Violence Prevention, Virginia Department of Health, 1500 East Main Street, Room 105, Richmond, VA 23219, USA.
Adera
Tilahun
T
Shields-Fobbs
Erima
E
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000592:standards; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D010819:Physician's Role; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014768:Virginia