Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107915

Stacey B. Plichta, ScD¹, Tancy Vandecar, MS², Sariyamon Tiraphat, MS¹, and Clare Houseman, PhD, RN, CS¹. (1) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, 757 683-4989, splichta@odu.edu, (2) Old Dominion University, Social Science Research Center, BAL 209, Norfolk, VA 23529

Women harmed by sexual violence often seek care from their primary care physician. Ideally, these physicians would be prepared to provide the proper medical, psychosocial and community supports (such as referrals to rape crisis centers) that women need. This study sought to examine the extent to which primary care practices in Virginia were prepared to assist sexual violence victims. A random sample of 250 primary care practices in Virginia was invited into the study (RR=24 %). Many practices refused to participate saying that ‘they did not have any rape victims in their patient panel'. Among respondents, more than 80% of the practices do not have any staff with specific training to assist victims, nor had they provided any training to staff in the past 12 months. Community supports are also lacking, as about two-thirds do not have a relationship with any rape crisis center. The results of this survey indicate that much work needs to be done with physician practices so that sexual violence victims can get the care that they need. The department of health needs to promote relationships between physician practices and local rape crisis centers so as to facilitate physician training and community linkages.

Learning Objectives:

• Define current standards of care for victims.
• Describe current ability of primary care practices to care for victims.
• Explore ways of improving primary care for victims.

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Primary Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation