title: Yes we can! Improving medical screening for intimate partner violence through self-efficacy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because individual practitioner's commitment to routine screening for IPV is the greatest predictor that women will be screened and referred for services, it is vital that screeners are dedicated, knowledgeable, and confident in their ability to recognize and assist victims of violence. Self-efficacy has been consistently linked in the literature with successful outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Intimate partner violence (IPV) constitutes a major public health problem. In the absence of Federal or State regulation, individual hospitals and systems are left to develop their own policies and procedures. This paper describes the policies and procedures developed by an American domestic violence counseling and resource center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Post test surveys were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospitals, medical offices, and medical schools surrounding an urban area in Pennsylvania participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  320 nurses and medical students participated in training provided by a domestic violence center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Post test surveys measured self-efficacy, the perceived usefulness of screening the accessibility of victim services, understanding of obstacles faced by victims, and knowledge-level regarding local IPV services. Participants also self-reported their gender, age, race, and position with the hospital system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurses and medical interns exhibit a wide range of self-efficacy regarding their ability to screen victims of intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence (IPV) training yielded participants who were better informed about IPV services and the obstacles faced by victims.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the absence of uniform screening guidelines, hospitals, systems, and individual practitioners must be vigilant in screening procedures. Partnerships with women's centers may provide valuable resources and training that may ultimately improve patient care. ‎
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania State University, USA. jrc11@psu.edu
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chapin
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult