Recognising and responding to intimate partner violence using telehealth: Practical guidance for nurses and midwives

Abstract

Aims To synthesise the current, global evidence‐informed guidance that supports nurses and midwives to recognise and respond to intimate partner violence (IPV), and how these practices can be translated from face‐to‐face encounters to care that is delivered through telehealth. Background COVID‐19‐related social and physical distancing measures increase the risk for individuals who are socially isolated with partners who perpetuate violence. Providing support through telehealth is one strategy that can mitigate the pandemic of IPV, while helping patients and providers stay safe from COVID‐19. Design and Methods In this discursive paper, we describe how practical guidance for safely recognising and responding to IPV in telehealth encounters was developed. The ADAPT‐ITT (Assessment, Decisions, Administration, Production, Topical Experts, Integration, Testing, Training) framework was used to guide the novel identification and adaptation of evidence‐informed guidance. We focused on the first six stages of the ADAPT‐ITT framework. Conclusions This paper fills a gap in available guidance, specifically for IPV recognition and response via telehealth. We present strategies for prioritising safety and promoting privacy while initiating, managing or terminating a telehealth encounter with patients who may be at risk for or experiencing IPV. Strategies for assessment, planning and intervention are also summarised. System‐level responses, such as increasing equitable access to telecommunication technology, are also discussed. Relevance to clinical practice Integrating innovative IPV‐focused practices into telehealth care is an important opportunity for nurses and midwives during the current global COVID‐19 pandemic. There are also implications for future secondary outbreaks, natural disasters or other physically isolating events, for improving healthcare efficiency, and for addressing the needs of vulnerable populations with limited access to health care.

No one asked us: Understanding the lived experiences of midwives providing care in the north west suburbs of Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interpretive phenomenology

“…Following the widespread uptake of telehealth in Victorian maternity services, generating evidence to inform this redesign of antenatal care ought to be prioritised. Telehealth is a new area of practice, and further research is urgently required to understand the needs of midwives and women in this space [ 47 ].…”

“So many extra safety layers:” Virtual service provision and implementing social distancing in interpersonal violence service agencies during COVID-19

“…Agencies could look to the training approach outlined for nurses and midwives implementing IPV screening in telehealth for practical guidance in the implementation of IPV services in telehealth contexts (Jack et al, 2021). This example highlights the process of scaling up telehealth training and intervention across geographic locations, cultural contexts, and populations, prioritizing safety and promoting privacy while initiating, managing, or terminating a telehealth encounter with patients who may be at risk for or experiencing IPV.…”

COVID-19 and Romantic Relationships

“…Moreover, their positive experiences encouraged couple therapists to consider virtual interventions as being very useful even after the pandemic will end [84]. Finally, practice guidance was offered for the professional that must use telehealth to work with victims of IPV [85].…”