Journal article
Exploring Emergency Healthcare for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence With Comorbid Psychological Distress
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, Vol.34(2), pp.1-6
2025
PMCID: PMC12000707
PMID: 40235127
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) may cause significant mental and physical health deterioration. This gendered violence often results in victims seeking support from emergency healthcare providers. Yet very little is known about the care provided to these patients. The objective of this research was to provide a descriptive analysis of care provision within the emergency setting to women experiencing IPV with concurrent psychological distress. A retrospective chart review was undertaken. This included screening 300 patient charts with inclusion/exclusion criteria to arrive at a final sample size of 32 patient charts comprising 43 presentations from 2020 to 2022. Whilst IPV is being recognised within emergency healthcare, clinician responses suggest a pathologising of symptoms associated with IPV victimisation and a focus on physiological care. Pathways in place to promote patient safety and outpatient services were rarely utilised. Furthermore, paramedics were seen to have removed autonomy from patients using Public Health Legislation, potentially causing secondary re‐victimisation. There are several ways in which healthcare clinicians can improve their care to patients experiencing IPV. Education surrounding healthcare roles and responsibilities and family violence legislation may be central to improving service provision. Knowledge of and referral to appropriate outpatient support services may also be a method by which to address ongoing health and safety concerns.
Details
- Title
- Exploring Emergency Healthcare for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence With Comorbid Psychological Distress
- Authors
- Shannon Dhollande (Corresponding Author) - Central Queensland UniversityDiksha Sapkota - Griffith UniversitySilke Meyer - Griffith UniversityKaren‐Ann Clarke - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingMaria Atiénzar-Prieto - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nursing
- Publication details
- International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, Vol.34(2), pp.1-6
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1111/inm.70050
- ISSN
- 1447-0349
- PMID
- 40235127; PMC12000707
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
- Grant note
- This work was supported by the University of the Sunshine Coast.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991121872402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Nursing
- Psychiatry
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