306008
State of the Science Update: Interpersonal and domestic violence screening and counseling
Background/Issue: Violence against women represents a major public health issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize four categories of violence: physical violence, sexual violence, threat of physical or sexual violence, and psychological or emotional abuse. Each year, as many as 1 million to 5 million women are abused by intimate partner in the U.S. In health care settings, prevalence rates ranging from 4-44% (past year) and 21-55% (lifetime) have been reported. Health consequences of violence include injuries, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, mental health issues, and death.
Description: Recommendation 5.7: Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence will be discussed. The recommendation calls for health care providers to screen and counsel women and adolescents about current and past violence and abuse in a culturally sensitive and supportive manner to address current health concerns about safety and other current or future health problems. Peer-reviewed studies and federal and international policies, in addition to clinical professional guidelines from organizations provided evidence to support the Institute of Medicine’s Committee recommendations.
Lessons Learned: Healthcare provider interventions have made a difference in health behaviors and outcomes for patients. Women who talked to their health care providers about abuse were far more likely to use an intervention.
Recommendations: The role of the clinician should be clear and should include screening as well as brief counseling. The presenter will review steps for screening and counseling, as well as discuss issues of confidentiality and reporting.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related nursingLearning Objectives:
Describe the Institute of Medicine's the preventive service recommendation of screening and counseling women for interpersonal and domestic violence.
Discuss the evidence that supported the recommendation.
Keyword(s): Practice Guidelines, Violence & Injury Prevention
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Melissa Sutherland is an Assistant Professor at the William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College. She received her PhD from the University of Virginia, and a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University. Her research focuses on the intersection of interpersonal violence and sexual health among women. She is a family nurse practitioner and teaches community health/population health at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at Boston College.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.