Emergency department nurses experiences of female domestic violence presentations: A review of the qualitative literature

Martin Christensen; Lauren-Leigh Metcalfe; Rebecca O'Reilly

doi:10.1111/nuf.12632

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Emergency department nurses experiences of female domestic violence presentations: A review of the qualitative literature

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Emergency department nurses experiences of female domestic violence presentations: A review of the qualitative literature

Martin Christensen, Lauren-Leigh Metcalfe and Rebecca O'Reilly

Nursing Forum, Vol.56(4), pp.925-937

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12632

PMID: 34350597

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Abstract

Nursing

accident and emergency

domestic violence

emergency department

intimate partner violence

nurses

Domestic violence (DV) is a prominent social problem involving upwards of 30% of women and in most cases, it is often the emergency department (ED) that is the first point of call. This qualitative review aimed to explore and describe ED nurses experiences of DV presentations. A search of the qualitative literature was undertaken between 2000 and 2019. This review was performed using a three‐stage process of thematic synthesis. For papers to be included each paper must have described a qualitative account of ED nurses' experiences of DV presentations. Ten papers met the inclusion criteria. Three themes emerged from the papers reviewed—feeling devastated in a world of helplessness and hopelessness; the anger of indifference; and grieving the pain and suffering. These included feelings of anger, rage, depression , guilt, helplessness, sadness, hopelessness, and cynicism. In conclusion, the emotional burden of care in supporting and protecting victims of DV can be immense for the nurses involved. This can lead to ED nurses distancing themselves from the patient as a means of emotional self‐protection as well as increasing compassion fatigue as a result of secondary vicarious trauma.

Details

Title: Emergency department nurses experiences of female domestic violence presentations: A review of the qualitative literature
Authors: Martin Christensen (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy
Lauren-Leigh Metcalfe (Author) - Western Sydney University
Rebecca O'Reilly (Author) - Western Sydney University
Publication details: Nursing Forum, Vol.56(4), pp.925-937
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12632
ISSN: 1744-6198
PMID: 34350597
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99571604902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Nursing

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