title: Orthopaedic surgeons' knowledge and misconceptions in the identification of intimate partner violence against women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intimate partner violence (IPV)-physical, sexual, psychologic, or financial abuse between intimate partners-is the most common cause of nonfatal injury to women in North America. As many IPV-related injuries are musculoskeletal, orthopaedic surgeons are well positioned to identify and assist these patients. However, data are lacking regarding surgeons' knowledge of the prevalence of IPV in orthopaedic practices, surgeons' screening and management methods, and surgeons' perceptions about IPV.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to identify (1) surgeon attitudes and beliefs regarding victims of IPV and batterers and (2) perceptions of surgeons regarding their role in identifying and assisting victims of IPV.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 690 surgeon members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. The survey had three sections: (1) general perception of orthopaedic surgeons regarding IPV; (2) perceptions of orthopaedic surgeons regarding victims and batterers; and (3) orthopaedic relevance of IPV. One hundred fifty-three surgeons responded (22%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents manifested key misconceptions: (1) victims must be getting something out of the abusive relationships (16%); (2) some women have personalities that cause the abuse (20%); and (3) the battering would stop if the batterer quit abusing alcohol (40%). In the past year, approximately ½ the respondents (51%) acknowledged identifying a victim of IPV; however, only 4% of respondents currently screen injured female patients for IPV. Surgeons expressed concerns regarding lack of knowledge in the management of abused women (30%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orthopaedic surgeons had several misconceptions about victims of IPV and batterers. Targeted educational programs on IPV are needed for surgeons routinely caring for injured women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, 1 Hospital Drive, N116, DC053.10, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA. dellaroccag@health.missouri.edu
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Della Rocca
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sprague
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dosanjh
authors.forename: Emil H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Schemitsch
authors.forename: Mohit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhandari
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018585:Battered Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D009985:Orthopedics; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires