Improving domestic violence screening practices in the emergency department: an Australian perspective.

Sweeny, AL; Bourke, C; Torpie, TM; Sargeant, S; Hughes, J; Watson, J; Conroy, S; Carrasco, A; Tighe, K; Thornton, NS; Cumner, A-S; Baird, K

Improving domestic violence screening practices in the emergency department: an Australian perspective.

Sweeny, AL Bourke, C Torpie, TM Sargeant, S Hughes, J Watson, J Conroy, S Carrasco, A Tighe, K Thornton, NS Cumner, A-S Baird, K

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Publisher:: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Emerg Med J, 2022, pp. emermed-2021-211167
Issue Date:: 2022-03-14

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sweeny, AL
dc.contributor.author	Bourke, C
dc.contributor.author	Torpie, TM
dc.contributor.author	Sargeant, S
dc.contributor.author	Hughes, J
dc.contributor.author	Watson, J
dc.contributor.author	Conroy, S
dc.contributor.author	Carrasco, A
dc.contributor.author	Tighe, K
dc.contributor.author	Thornton, NS
dc.contributor.author	Cumner, A-S
dc.contributor.author	Baird, K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0142-6962
dc.date.accessioned	2023-02-01T21:58:17Z
dc.date.available	2022-02-24
dc.date.available	2023-02-01T21:58:17Z
dc.date.issued	2022-03-14
dc.identifier.citation	Emerg Med J, 2022, pp. emermed-2021-211167
dc.identifier.issn	1472-0205
dc.identifier.issn	1472-0213
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165797
dc.description.abstract	INTRODUCTION: Domestic violence (DV) is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The ED is a location recommended for opportunistic screening. However, screening within EDs remains irregular. OBJECTIVE: To examine intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to routine screening in Australian EDs, while describing actions taken after identification of DV. METHODS: Emergency clinicians at nine public hospitals participated in an anonymous online survey. Factor analysis was performed to identify principal components around attitudes and beliefs towards screening. RESULTS: In total, 496 emergency clinicians participated. Universal screening was uncommon; less than 2% of respondents reported screening all adults or all women. Although willing, nearly half (45%) reported not knowing how to screen. High patient load and no single rooms were 'very or severely limiting' for 88% of respondents, respectively, while 24/7 social work and interpreter services, and online/written DV protocols were top enablers. Factor analysis identified four distinct intrinsic belief components: (1) screening is not futile and could be done in ED, (2) screening will not cause harm, (3) there is a duty to screen and (4) I am willing to screen. CONCLUSION: This study describes a culture of Queensland ED clinicians that believe DV screening in ED is important and interventions are effective. Most ED clinicians are willing to screen. In this setting, availability of social work and interpreter services are important mitigating resources. Clinician education focusing on duty to screen, coupled with a built-in screening tool, and e-links to a local management protocol may improve the uptake of screening and subsequently increase detection.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
dc.relation.ispartof	Emerg Med J
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1136/emermed-2021-211167
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1110 Nursing, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Emergency & Critical Care Medicine
dc.title	Improving domestic violence screening practices in the emergency department: an Australian perspective.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-02-01T21:58:14Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Domestic violence (DV) is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The ED is a location recommended for opportunistic screening. However, screening within EDs remains irregular. OBJECTIVE: To examine intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to routine screening in Australian EDs, while describing actions taken after identification of DV. METHODS: Emergency clinicians at nine public hospitals participated in an anonymous online survey. Factor analysis was performed to identify principal components around attitudes and beliefs towards screening. RESULTS: In total, 496 emergency clinicians participated. Universal screening was uncommon; less than 2% of respondents reported screening all adults or all women. Although willing, nearly half (45%) reported not knowing how to screen. High patient load and no single rooms were 'very or severely limiting' for 88% of respondents, respectively, while 24/7 social work and interpreter services, and online/written DV protocols were top enablers. Factor analysis identified four distinct intrinsic belief components: (1) screening is not futile and could be done in ED, (2) screening will not cause harm, (3) there is a duty to screen and (4) I am willing to screen. CONCLUSION: This study describes a culture of Queensland ED clinicians that believe DV screening in ED is important and interventions are effective. Most ED clinicians are willing to screen. In this setting, availability of social work and interpreter services are important mitigating resources. Clinician education focusing on duty to screen, coupled with a built-in screening tool, and e-links to a local management protocol may improve the uptake of screening and subsequently increase detection.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165797