Domestic Violence Prevention

• Free of Charge
• Gives Providers Skills for Dealing with this Difficult Issue
• Improves Patient Outcomes
• Covers The Joint Commission (TJC) Standards

Many studies conclude that screening and early intervention for domestic violence can help reduce injuries and minimize healthcare costs.^{i, ii} Reports have demonstrated that victims who discuss abuse with their health care provider are more likely to use an intervention,ⁱⁱⁱ but that victims are unlikely to spontaneously discuss domestic violence.^iv Universal and compassionate screening is crucial.

The Training will Include:

• Definition and Prevalence of Domestic Violence
• Medical and Social Impacts
• How to Conduct Efficient and Effective Screens
• How to Handle a Positive Screen
• What Resources are Available Locally

We are offering domestic violence assessment training sessions providing clear policy guidelines, screening tools to improve efficiency, free resource materials for patients, and information regarding local domestic violence resources to improve patient care. The trainings are offered at no cost to institutions, and will help hospitals comply with the JCAHO standards concerning domestic violence.

Why do It?

The benefits of the Domestic Violence Prevention for Providers Program reach many layers of the Health Care System. Victims of domestic violence will discuss abuse with providers if asked.^v,vi Consistent screening increases provider and patient comfort around the topic of domestic violence and creates an environment where abuse can be discussed and disclosed. Our program will give providers confidence to conduct these important screenings. If disclosure occurs through a positive screen, providers will know what resources are available to patients. The costs of domestic violence associated with repeat office visits, missed or erroneous diagnoses, and ongoing morbidity and mortality rates will be decreased through consistent screening.

Training sessions are approximately 45 minutes long, but can be altered depending on time available for each department. This project is funded by the Department of Social Service, through a contract with St. Francis Hospital.

• Saint Francis Contact: Mary Stuart, MPH. Phone: 860-714-4095
• Trainers: Rebecca Beebe, MA and Susie DiVietro, MA phone: 860-714-4555

Domestic Violence Prevention Training for Health Care Providers	Click here for a complete list of Local Shelters
Ordering Materials for your Practice	National Information About Domestic Violence
Materials From Domestic Violence Program for Providers Two-Question Violence Screen and Intervention Bibliography

ⁱ Snow Jones, Alison, Jacqueline Dienemann, Janet Schollenberger, Joan Kub, Patricia O'Campo, Andrea Carlson Gielen, Jacquelyn C. Campbell. 2006. Long-term costs of intimate partner violence in a sample of female HMO enrollees. Women's Health Issues 16: 252-261.

ⁱⁱ Burke, E. Kelley, L., Rudman, W. Ph.D & MacLeod. 2002. Initial findings from the Health Care Cost Study on Domestic Violence. Pittsburg, PA

ⁱⁱⁱ McCloskey, l., Lighter, E., Williams, C., Gerber, M., Wittenberg, E., Ganz, M. 2006. Assessing intimate partner violence in health care settings leads to women’s receipt of interventions and improved health. Public Health Reports 121 July-August.

^iv Phelan, Mary Beth. 2007. Screening for intimate partner violence in medical settings. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse 8(2):199-213.

^v Krasnoff M, Moscati R. 2002. Domestic violence screening and referral can be effective. Annals of Emergency Medicine 40:485-492.

^vi Chang, Jeani; Cynthia Berg; Linda Saltzman and Joy Herndon, 2005. Homicide: A leading cause of injury deaths among pregnant and postpartum women in the United States, 1991-1999. American Journal of Public Health 96(3):471-477.