Synergy in practice: caring for victims of intimate partner violence

Are clinicians being prepared to care for abused women? A survey of health professional education in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

The current project undertook a province-wide survey and environmental scan of educational opportunities available to future health care providers on the topic of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women.

METHODS

A team of experts identified university and college programs in Ontario, Canada as potential providers of IPV education to students in health care professions at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. A telephone survey with contacts representing these programs was conducted between October 2005 and March 2006. The survey asked whether IPV-specific education was provided to learners, and if so, how and by whom.

RESULTS

In total, 222 eligible programs in dentistry, medicine, nursing and other allied health professions were surveyed, and 95% (212/222) of programs responded. Of these, 57% reported offering some form of IPV-specific education, with undergraduate nursing (83%) and allied health (82%) programs having the highest rates. Fewer than half of undergraduate medical (43%) and dentistry (46%) programs offered IPV content. Postgraduate programs ranged from no IPV content provision (dentistry) to 41% offering content (nursing).

CONCLUSION

Significant variability exists across program areas regarding the methods for IPV education, its delivery and evaluation. The results of this project highlight that expectations for an active and consistent response by health care professionals to women experiencing the effects of violence may not match the realities of professional preparation.

Synergy and peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with endovascular stent is a procedure to improve the symptoms of claudication caused by peripheral vascular disease. There is evidence to show that upward of 30% of patients seek further intervention for recurring symptoms in 1 year. This high rate of recidivism necessitates nursing intervention postprocedure in the hospital to promote a lifestyle change. The Synergy Model is useful to develop a relationship between the patient and the nurse that promotes a lifestyle change. The outlined patient who underwent peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and the nurse characteristics within the Synergy Model lend themselves to frame a short, intense hospital stay inclusive of thorough, patient-centered teaching.

Intimate partner violence: implications for critical care nursing

IPV presents a serious health risk to many women. Emergency and critical care nurses are in a prime position for identification of and intervention with these women. Careful assessment and recognition of symptoms and conditions associated with IPV helps nurses to identify victims and potential victims. Building a trusting and supportive environment, where women feel comfortable disclosing abuse, precedes effective intervention. Nursing practice can incorporate the myriad resources and successful programs to provide victims with quality care. Before discharge from the critical care unit or ED, nurses can help women to identify their risk and plan for safety. Effective nursing care in IPV combines the traditional critical care nursing skills synergistically with provision for the biopsychosocial needs of patients.

Intimate Partner Violence: Continuing Education for Registered Nurses

Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, is a leading health problem affecting approximately 50% of women during the course of their lifetime. A large percentage of the abusers also abuse their children and older adults. Nurses are in a key position to identify and intervene with victims of abuse. However, a major barrier to screening and referral is lack of education. Nurses indicate a lack of education in their formal undergraduate and graduate programs. Therefore, nurses should be introduced to this topic through a 2-hour continuing education program.