The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42002

Judy G. Winterhalter, DNSc, APRN, BC and Denise A. Vanacore, PhD, CRNP, APRN. School of Nursing, Graduate Program, Gwynedd-Mercy College, P.O. Box 901, 1325 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437

This presentation will discuss an innovative advanced practice nursing model for delivering mental health and primary care services on-site to an especially vulnerable population - women and children survivors of domestic violence residing in a two-year transitional housing program. Each year 1.5 million women are physically assaulted or raped by an intimate partner. Battered women are often too fearful, embarrassed, vulnerable, and stressed to access health care services, and / or have been denied access by the abuser. Statistics identify that approximately 75% of visits to emergency rooms by battered women occur after separation from the abuser. Most women leave the situation during a crisis, and often lack basic resources such as clothing, identification, money, transportation and insurance. This population presents with sequela of domestic violence that can include post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and significant untreated traumatic injuries. This practice model is based on a nurse-managed collaborative partnership among four organizations representing public, private, and government sectors in the community. The continuum of care service plan includes intake, assessment, and the development of an individualized service plan which includes the following services: crisis intervention, mental health care, primary health care, and education. The women are empowered as partners in this continuum of care service plan. Results indicate that these on-site services are cost-effective, empower women survivors during the healing process, provide a continuum of care including community services, and support the women in developing the strength and skills to rebuild their lives.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify the advantages of a nurse-managed partnership model in providing health services to women survivors of domestic violence.
• Describe the unique needs, continuum of care and related health services for this constituency.
• Discuss the use and benefits of onsite nurse-provided primary and mental health services in the healing and empowerment of domestic violence survivors.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.