An interview study of the impact of domestic violence training on midwives.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the impact on midwives of a training programme designed to increase their awareness and understanding of violence against women from men they know.


METHODS
a cross-sectional survey using semi-structured interviews.


METHODS
a stratified sample of 55 midwives who attended training between April 1999 and June 2000 were asked to participate, 26 agreed.


METHODS
midwifery services of the Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.


RESULTS
participants reported greater awareness and understanding of domestic violence, and an increased likelihood of identifying and supporting women, partly through improved knowledge of other helping agencies. However, there was considerable uncertainty over issues of confidentiality and documentation. Practical difficulties were raised in implementing training within the midwifery role; these included time and privacy.


CONCLUSIONS
this research adds to the scarce evidence base related to the effectiveness of health-care professionals' training in domestic violence. Further research should also explore the impact of training on women's experiences of healthcare.
Protheroe
Lynn
L
Mother and Infant Research Unit, University of Leeds, 22 Hyde Terrace, Leeds LS2 9LN, UK.
Green
Josephine
J
Spiby
Helen
H
D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires