Screening Male Primary Care Patients for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

Abstract

Men appear to underreport current IPV perpetration in face-to-face primary care encounters when compared to other methods of reporting. Men may more readily report past IPV perpetration in face-to-face encounters.

The Role of the Physician When a Patient Discloses Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: A Literature Review

“…24,50,51 In addition, the abuser may consider himself a victim or there may be bidirectional violence. Furthermore, the physician may lack training, validated assessment tools, and time to do the assessment correctly.…”

Physicians' Experiences with Male Patients Who Perpetrate Intimate Partner Violence

“…Research showing that male perpetrators of IPV see a regular physician 12 and regularly access health care [7][8][9][10][11] seems to conflict with the rarity with which physicians reported interacting with perpetrators of IPV. The 15 interviewees discussed a total of 32 interactions with male perpetrators of IPV (Table 1), and only 6 of the 18 physicians who completed the initial survey reported experiences with male perpetrators of IPV.…”

“…15 Studies have been conducted on the feasibility of screening patients for IPV perpetration in the health care setting. [7][8][9] Nonetheless, there is limited information about the circumstances in which physicians interact with perpetrators of IPV and the methods physicians use or should use when interacting with them. Numerous questions are unanswered.…”

Intimate partner violence

“…These forms of interpersonal violence are psycho-social-emotional and physically distressing for adult/youth victims and may place them at risk for suicide ideation, suicide, and depression. 70,71 However, in order to effectively assess for actual, potential, or possible exposures to IPV or DV, NPs should be knowledgeable of commonly associated risk factors related to actual, potential, NPs should understand that a violence risk assessment will take time and allocate an appropriate timeframe to ensure effectiveness. 69,70 ■ Assessment NPs in the primary care offi ce have a unique opportunity to assess, perform risk assessments, identify, and assist victims, survivors, bystanders, perpetrators, or potential perpetrators exposed to IPV or DV.…”