Health Care Providers\u27 Attitudes Toward Screening Patients for Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

The primary purpose of this quasi-experimental study of health care providers at a faith­based clinic for uninsured adults in a metropolitan area was to detennine health care providers\u27 knowledge of and attitudes towards the use of SV and IPV screening tools. This study measured a volunteer group of primary care providers\u27 knowledge and attitudes towards SV and IPV screening tools before and after applying an educational intervention presenting the benefits of screening and identifying patients who have previously been, currently are, or at risk to suffer abuse. A total of IO eligible participants completed all elements of the study. The pre and posttest contained 4 demographic questions, 18 Likert-scale style questions, and 5 open ended questions. Participants believed it to be true that abuse has negative physical and mental health effects on its victims; and that they have a role in improving patients physical and mental health. Some participants felt that the use of screening tools could potentially bring patients discomfort or upset, and the most commonly reported barrier to administration of tools was time. After intervention, participants reported in increase in belief that administering screening tools could lead to an increase in identification of victims, and an improvement in patients\u27 mental and physical health. Post intervention, the majority of participants showed a stronger willingness to integrate screening tools into their practice. The study showed that HCPs are interested in learning more about SV and IPV screening tools, but that several barriers to implementation exist. Future research should focus on solutions for the barriers that exist to implementing universal SV and IPV screening tools in the primary care setting