The provision of emergency healthcare for women who experience intimate partner violence: part 2. Strategies to address knowledge deficits and negative attitudes.

Abstract

The first article in this two-part series evaluated healthcare professionals' approaches to the care of women who present to the emergency department (ED) with injuries related to intimate partner violence (IPV). It identified barriers to appropriate care provision, which included a lack of knowledge on the part of healthcare professionals and negative professional attitudes. This second article details the findings of a literature review of three databases that aimed to evaluate strategies to address the lack of knowledge of healthcare professionals and negative attitudes concerning IPV. A total of 11 articles were included in the review. Two main strategies to address ED healthcare professionals' knowledge deficits and negative attitudes about IPV were identified. These were developed into the themes of IPV/domestic violence specialists, and education and training.