What do abused women expect from their family physicians? A qualitative study among women in shelter homes.
OBJECTIVE
To gain insight into the needs and expectations of abused women in shelter homes, with regard to family physicians.


METHODS
Twelve women in two shelter homes were interviewed. The interview focused on women's experiences and expectations of family physicians regarding the abuse situation.


RESULTS
Eight women did not disclose intimate partner abuse to their family physicians. The main reasons were shame and fear of retaliation. Six women suffered from extreme controlling behavior by their partners, which made it impossible to seek help. Four women were not aware of the relationship between abuse by a partner and physical symptoms. Women mainly wanted a solution for physical problems and were ambivalent about help to tackle their problems with abuse. The majority of the women found the family physician's attitude of great importance and considered it a task of the family physician to provide assistance.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the family physician did not play an important role in solving the problems for victims of intimate partner abuse living in shelter homes, an open and empathic attitude was of great importance to these women. Women also expressed the need for assistance by their physician and emphasized that it was important to keep asking about partner abuse, even in case of denial.
Wester
Wietske
W
UMC St Radboud, Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Women's Studies Medical Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Wong
Sylvie Lo Fo
SL
Lagro-Janssen
Antoine L M
AL
D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D009426:Netherlands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D016387:Women's Health