Primary healthcare provider's lost opportunity to help abused women

To determine how often primary care providers have the opportunity to assess and intervene for intimate partner violence (IPV) in a population of women who are known to be experiencing IPV.

A convenience sample of 149 abused women presenting to the justice system for protection orders or to file assault charges against in intimate partner were interviewed about the date and reason for her last healthcare visit, whether she had been screened for IPV, and the presence of selected conditions, medication use, and hospitalizations.

Although 86% (n = 128) of the women had sought healthcare services within the previous year, only 24% (n = 36) had been assessed for IPV.

Abused women use healthcare services at higher rates and have more health conditions than non-abused women. Despite recommendations of professional organizations, health providers have low rates of screening for IPV. Universal screening for IPV by nurse practitioners could substantially interrupt ongoing abuse.