Background: Very little post-emergency department longitudinal research on domestic violence exists. Objective: Utilize methods which protect participant safety and promote successful data-gathering in a follow-up study. Methods: A prospective survey study in which consecutive adult women were screened during a convenience sample in an urban emergency department. After informed consent, one survey was completed in the ED; a second, approximately one month later; and a third, three months after the initial visit. Methodological organization of the study included deliberate attention to safety of both abused women and controls. An individualized follow-up plan was developed for each patient while maintaining certain core guidelines. In particular, principles of flexibility, confidentiality, timing, anonymity, and accessibility of appropriate supportive resources, were incorporated. Results: Rates of one month follow-up for abused women was 78% and for controls 77%. At three months, the rates of follow-up were 72% and 75% respectively. Follow-up at three months was completed by telephone for 73% of the abuse group and in-person for 27%. For the controls, 96% preferred telephone and 4% in-person interviews at three months. No participant reported any specific negative events due to involvement in the study (that would not have otherwise occurred). Conclusions: Safety measures can be developed which are adequate to protect the interests of at-risk populations in outcomes evaluations. These measures do not obstruct successful data-gathering; they may even enhance it. These methods provided the opportunity to assess the success of initial safety protocols while providing a supportive and responsive environment for the study participants.
Learning Objectives: 1. Develop awareness of safety issues as they relate to data-gathering in domestic violence research. 2. Discuss study design features necessary to protect the safety of women who may be experiencing domestic violence. 3. List 3 ways to enhance participant safety in a domestic violence follow-up protocol
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Methodology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.