Citation

Edwardsen EA, Pless NA, Fiscella KA, Horwitz SH, Meldrum SC. Prev. Med. 2004; 39(3): 536-542.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Elizabeth_Edwardsen@urmc.rochester.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.02.011

PMID

15313093

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To assess the impact of a multimodal educational outreach on physician screening and documentation of intimate partner violence (IPV) in primary care. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention assessment of physician screening and chart documentation of IPV. Physician screening was assessed by post-visit survey of patients and documentation was assessed by medical record review. SETTING: Three medical offices in an urban community of approximately 1 million. PARTICIPANTS: Three primary care physicians (one internist, one obstetrician, and one family physician) and 100 patients from each of these practices. INTERVENTIONS: Multimodal educational outreach to physicians and their office staff regarding appropriate screening and management of IPV. A trained IPV educator made periodic office visits in 2002 to educate the physician and office staff regarding appropriate screening and management of IPV. RESULTS: Before the intervention, 36/150 (24%) of sample patients reported having been previously asked about IPV and 24/150 (16%) reported being asked in a written format. After the intervention, 100/149 (67%) and 41/108(28%) reported being asked verbally or in writing, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study of three physicians suggests educational outreach represents a promising and feasible means of improving physician screening and documentation of IPV in primary care.

Language: en