domestic abuse assessment

Published

If you had an accurate and quick way to diagnose intimate partner violence, would that be something you might be interested in?

I represent a nonprofit organization Partners in Prevention and we help healthcare providers recognize domestic abuse and clinically manage patients who are victims of violence. We are exploring the possibility of making an online interactive domestic abuse assessment screen available to providers.

I appreciate your input. Dr. King

Up Vote Up Vote ×

While I'm sure your tool is wonderful, nurses do not diagnose. The problem is not and never has been suspecting abuse.

The problem is helping the abused victim to take action to keep themselves safe. Any tips on that would be very useful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Nurses do diagnose. We use nursing diagnoses every day.

In the ER we routinely ASSESS for domestic violence, both actual and potential.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Somehow, I suspect the good *Dr* was not referring to nursing diagnoses. :lol2:

I don't and never have had a problem accurately assessing for abuse, (neither do my coworkers.) Always the stickier part of the situation is encouraging the victim and their children to seek safety.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.
Somehow, I suspect the good *Dr* was not referring to nursing diagnoses. :lol2:

I don't and never have had a problem accurately assessing for abuse, (neither do my coworkers.) Always the stickier part of the situation is encouraging the victim and their children to seek safety.

Am I missing something here? Is there a reason to question Dr. King's title?

Since there is not a medical diagnosis of domestic abuse (that I am aware of), I assumed that Dr. King was using the term "diagnose" in a broader sense such as to "analyze the cause or nature of a problem" (definition by Dictionary.com).

And as to you having never having had any problem assessing for abuse, I think that's admirable. I personally wouldn't mind having a tool to help me assess the more subtle cases.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't and never have had a problem accurately assessing for abuse, (neither do my coworkers.) Always the stickier part of the situation is encouraging the victim and their children to seek safety.

This comment above is why we started the nonprofit and that's exactly what it is designed to do. However, after addressing thousands of providers coast-to-coast, another need emerged: an assessment tool. So if you are fine with this, you are ahead of most.

As far as tips for getting the victim to "wake-up," act on your referral and/or seek safety, we can definitely help you with that. Feel free to write to me at [email protected] or call 888-782-0723. We can offer your hospital a CNE/CME in-service on the subject.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mother-Baby.

Hi DrKing,

I'm a RN (ADN May 2007) still taking classes towards my BSN, and one of the classes I'm taking right now is a Family Violence class. I've really learned a lot this semester, about recognizing signs of abuse and how to help victims. During my research for a project this semester, I used a article from a 2007 MCN (Maternal Child Nursing) Journal about IPV - and barriers Nurses face with assessing and intervention with patients. I think you might find that article helpful.

I think I'm well informed on assessing (HITS, etc.) - but never had the opportunity to do so during clinicals in school (I will begin my first job in Postpartum Nursing in January). Since many women would consider getting help when they have a baby, assessing will be very important to me. I think creating a computer program for this would be awesome, and I'd love to use it! This is such as delicate area - it's so important to approach victims appropriately so that they feel like they can share what is going on. I think examples of appropriate dialogue, and where to turn for help would be the most helpful to Nurses.;)

Thanks for Your Work & God Bless!

txpixiedust

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion