Identifying intimate partner violence: an intervention study in health care using a standardised questionnaire and virtual patients

Research problem and specific questionsThe overall aim of the project is to increase primary care professional’s ability to identify individuals exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV).

The specific questions are: a) To what extent do the following three interventions contribute to identify potential victims of IPV: (1) the use of a standardized questionnaire that screens exposure to IPV, (2) staff using tailored virtual patients for clinical training on IPV and (3) a combination of interventions 1 and 2? b) Which intervention do primary care professionals experience as most effective in increasing the ability to identify and respond to victims of IPV?

Data and methodThe project will evaluate the effects of three different interventions that can be assumed to increase the health care staff´s ability to identify people who are exposed IPV. The project has a quasi-experimental design.

Participating care units are divided into three interventions: 1) a standardized questionnaire to patients, 2) virtual patients tailored to health professionals, and 3) a combination of 1 and 2.

Pre-and post-measurement of the health professionals identification of patients exposed to IPV will will be used to explore the effect of the interventions.

Focus group interviews with the participating health professionals will be a qualitative complement, in terms of what intervention they experience as the most effective in increasing the ability to identify victims of IPV Plan for project realisationThe project is a multi-professional collaboration between clinicians and researchers within Region Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm University.

The competence in the group is cross-professional with expertise in health and violence, medical pedagogics as well as the development, assessment, and implementation of virtual patients and interactive, digital platforms. Above all, funding is sought for one Phd- student.

Relevance The high incidence of psychosocial and physical health problems among people exposed to IPV leads to frequent presentations at health services.

Given the high prevalence of IPV and the associated medical consequences and costs of IPV, it is critical to address this public health problem.

Our goal is that this project will contribute with tools to identify more individuals exposed to IPV and that the project can serve as a basis for improving national strategies on IPV.