Women's experiences with domestic violence and their attitudes and expectations regarding medical care of abuse victims

• Published in: Southern medical journal (Birmingham, Ala.) Vol. 90; no. 11; pp. 1075 - 1080
• Main Authors: CARALIS, P. V, MUSIALOWSKI, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.11.1997
• Subjects: Adult; Ambulatory Care; Attitude of Health Personnel; Attitude to Health; Battered Women - legislation & jurisprudence; Biological and medical sciences; Community Health Services - legislation & jurisprudence; Community Health Services - organization & administration; Domestic Violence - legislation & jurisprudence; Domestic Violence - prevention & control; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Mass Screening; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Patient Advocacy; Physician-Patient Relations; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Public Health; Rape - legislation & jurisprudence; Rape - prevention & control; Social Problems; Social Work - legislation & jurisprudence; Social Work - organization & administration; Spouse Abuse - legislation & jurisprudence; Spouse Abuse - prevention & control; Surveys and Questionnaires; Victimology; Women's Health Services; United States; North America; America; Human; Primary health care; Violence; Victimology; Incidence; Health policy; Physician patient relation; Etiology; Legal aspect; Selection criterion; Female; Sexual abuse; Field inquiry; Public health
• ISSN: 0038-4348
• DOI: 10.1097/00007611-199711000-00003

Although domestic violence (DV) is recognized as a serious crime, only recently has it been acknowledged as a critical public health problem. To develop appropriate medical intervention methods to stop abuse, we interviewed 406 female patients in the ambulatory clinics at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, using a standardized questionnaire. We assessed their experiences with DV and their expectations of physicians in treating victims. Of the 406 women, 40% have had emotional/physical abuse by a partner, 7% were currently in abusive relationships, and 3% had forced sex within the past year. Although 68% of the women could tell their doctors they were abuse victims, only 12% have been asked about abuse. Even when told of abuse, the doctors did nothing for 20% of the patients. The majority of the respondents believe that doctors should routinely screen for abuse. As part of treatment, all women strongly recommended that doctors provide information on community and legal resources and assistance in seeking protective services. Domestic violence is a significant problem for female patients in the ambulatory care setting. Women expect physicians to act as their advocates and, in partnership with other community professionals, to assist abuse victims and stop the violence.