Training medical students: victim’s perceptions of selectively screening women for intimate partner violence in health care settings

Abstract

Background Routine IPV screening is a controversial topic and there is no evidence to suggest that it improves the health outcomes of women. Consequently, understanding the socio-cultural dimensions, becomes essential to ensure that victims receive appropriate and local support. This study was conducted to gather the perceptions of victims of IPV on the relevance of raising the topic at health care facilities and to determine specific categories of women to target for screening by medical personnel. It also explored how the information gathered could support victims and whether medical students should be trained on issues relating to IPV. Methods Thirty-three key informant interviews were conducted among women attending clinics from three teaching hospitals in the Lagos, Oyo and Osun States of South West Nigeria. The hospitals offer antenatal, emergency, primary care and community outreach clinics which are well-attended by women. A six-item questionnaire assessed eligibility for participation in the study and participants were then purposively sampled. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide. Ethical approval and gatekeepers’ permissions were obtained, and each participant signed informed consent. Data was collected between June and November 2017. The data was entered into Excel and analysed deductively to answer each objective. Results Most ( n = 24) participants stated that medical practitioners should ask all women who present to health care facilities, about their experiences of IPV. Physically, medically and socially vulnerable women, including those in relationships with men in risky occupations, were identified as needing special attention and possible follow-up. They supported the use of the information within and outside of the health care facility, depending on the need of the woman. The majority ( n = 24) indicated a need to train medical students about IPV and 19 participants suggested for the topic to be curriculated. Most victims favoured the inclusion of a multidisciplinary team in teaching medical students about IPV. Conclusions Victims of IPV were in support of initiatives to discuss the topic among some groups of female patients in health care settings. They thought it would enhance the quality of care (medical, psychological, legal and social) to victims. They identified an inter-professional team of stakeholders to include when training medical students about IPV.

Women’s experiences and expectations after disclosure of intimate partner abuse to a healthcare provider: A qualitative meta-synthesis

“… 24 Feder’s review has made a critically important contribution towards understanding what women want from HCPs. However, since 2006, there has been a great deal more research conducted in the area of violence against women, including in low-income and-middle income countries such as Jordan, 25 Nigeria, 26 Peru 27 and India. 28 The problem of IPA has received increasing global attention, as has the potential role of HCPs in addressing it.…”

Importance of Training Healthcare Providers About Domestic Violence

“…Incorporating intimate partner violence education into healthcare professionals training has received support from healthcare staff and survivors of violence. A study in Kuwait involving 128 physicians and 238 nurses demonstrated that a majority of healthcare providers (82.4% nurses and 82.0% physicians) agreed with universally screening all patients for intimate partner violence to better identify domestic violence survivors (Fawole et al 2019). A study conducted in Nigeria, with women who had faced some form of intimate partner violence, reported that most women felt that medical practitioners should ask all patients who present to the healthcare facility if they are facing domestic violence (Fawole et al 2019).…”

“…A study in Kuwait involving 128 physicians and 238 nurses demonstrated that a majority of healthcare providers (82.4% nurses and 82.0% physicians) agreed with universally screening all patients for intimate partner violence to better identify domestic violence survivors (Fawole et al 2019). A study conducted in Nigeria, with women who had faced some form of intimate partner violence, reported that most women felt that medical practitioners should ask all patients who present to the healthcare facility if they are facing domestic violence (Fawole et al 2019). The survivors of violence acknowledged that screening might not help women who were afraid to speak out; however, they felt optimistic that it might offer solutions to help stop the cycle of violence while providing holistic care for the patients (Fawole et al 2019).…”

“…A study conducted in Nigeria, with women who had faced some form of intimate partner violence, reported that most women felt that medical practitioners should ask all patients who present to the healthcare facility if they are facing domestic violence (Fawole et al 2019). The survivors of violence acknowledged that screening might not help women who were afraid to speak out; however, they felt optimistic that it might offer solutions to help stop the cycle of violence while providing holistic care for the patients (Fawole et al 2019). Additionally, a majority of domestic violence survivors felt that intimate partner violence education should be incorporated in the medical student's curriculum with the inclusion of multidisciplinary teams, including lawyers, journalists, and nurses, to assist with the training (Fawole et al 2019).…”

Intimate partner violence screening intention instrument for Thai nursing students: A principal component analysis

“…Inadequate healthcare provider training is a frequently cited barrier to addressing IPV in practice (Dyer & Abildso, 2019; Fawole et al, 2019; Rees et al, 2014). In order for nurses to screen for IPV and appropriately respond to survivors, it is important for nurses to receive adequate and effective IPV education and training (Anderzen‐Carlsson et al, 2018), as well as well‐designed “prequalification” healthcare provider training (i.e., for students) (Crombie et al, 2017; WHO, 2013).…”