• Emerg Med J · Feb 2023

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

    • Amy Lynn Sweeny, Caitlin Bourke, Thomas Martin Torpie, Sally Sargeant, James Hughes, Julie Watson, Sheree Conroy, Angel Carrasco, Kym Tighe, Neale Stuart Thornton, Amber-Shea Cumner, and Kathleen Baird.
    • Emergency Department, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Queensland, Australia amy.sweeny@health.qld.gov.au.
    • Emerg Med J. 2023 Feb 1; 40 (2): 114119114-119.

    IntroductionDomestic violence (DV) is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The ED is a location recommended for opportunistic screening. However, screening within EDs remains irregular.ObjectiveTo examine intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to routine screening in Australian EDs, while describing actions taken after identification of DV.MethodsEmergency 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.ResultsIn 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.ConclusionThis 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.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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