“Preventing the Pain” When Working with Family and Sexual Violence in Primary Care

Jan Coles,Jill Astbury,Elizabeth Dartnall

doi:10.1155/2013/198578

Abstract

Primary care professionals (PCPs) are increasingly being expected to identify and respond to family and sexual violence as the chronic nature and severity of the long-term health impacts are increasingly recognized. This discussion paper reports the authors' expert opinion from their experiences running international workshops to prevent trauma among those who work and research sexual violence. It describes the burnout and secondary traumatic stress literature which provides the evidence supporting their work. Implications for practicing basic training in response to trauma and ongoing education are a key area for responding to family violence and preventing professional stress. A professional culture that supports and values caring well for those who have experienced family violence as well as “caring for the carer” is needed. Working in teams and having more support systems in place are likely to protect PCPs from secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Undergraduate and postgraduate training of PCPs to develop trauma knowledge and the skills to ask about and respond to family violence safely are essential. In addition, the healthcare system, workplace, and the individual practitioner support structures need to be in place to enable PCPs to provide safe and effective long-term care and access to other appropriate services for those who have experienced family violence.

Highlights

Being a primary care professional (PCP) means being at the forefront of managing chronic, complex, and difficult areas of health
If we add to the potential emotional impact of survivor stories on PCPs, the mental and emotional work of caring for these patients, the patient-professional interaction and boundary issues, and the long-term nature of the care required [1], we will have the perfect recipe for increased PCP stress
PCPs may be concerned that family violence is a private “no-go” area that cannot be discussed without offending the patient

Summary

Introduction

Being a primary care professional (PCP) means being at the forefront of managing chronic, complex, and difficult areas of health. PCPs may be concerned that family violence is a private “no-go” area that cannot be discussed without offending the patient. The traumatic nature of child abuse and adult violence with its negative effects on the emotional, mental, and physical health of victim/survivors is well documented. We discuss the emotional and physical safety issues while being at work and the social, emotional, and physical impacts of child abuse and violence at work. It concludes with a discussion of strategies to reduce and manage potential trauma

Understanding the Potential for Trauma

Recognising Stress and Responding to It

Findings

Conclusion