Intimate partner violence - identification and response in general practice.

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Public Health
• Women's Health

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent, affecting approximately 10% of women presenting to general practice.
• Abused women often exhibit physical and psychosocial symptoms, yet IPV frequently remains undisclosed.
• Addressing IPV presents significant challenges for both clinicians and patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• This review focuses on identifying intimate partner violence (IPV) in women attending general practice.
• While recommendations may extend to same-sex relationships and male victims, the primary focus is on women in heterosexual relationships presenting to primary care.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article, synthesizing existing knowledge and recommendations.
• The focus is on clinical practice guidelines and communication strategies for identifying and responding to IPV.

Main Results:

• Identifying IPV is critical as it is associated with numerous common physical and mental health conditions.
• Effective response hinges on skilled communication to facilitate disclosure.
• Key elements include safety assessment, gauging readiness for action, and offering appropriate referrals and support.

Conclusions:

• General practitioners (GPs) are uniquely positioned to identify women experiencing IPV and guide them toward recovery.
• Early identification and intervention by GPs can mitigate the long-term consequences of intimate partner violence.
• A nonjudgmental approach, safety planning, and referral pathways are essential components of effective GP support.