Clinical competencies of emergency nurses toward violence against women: a delphi study

An increasing number of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) have begun to seek help from hospital emergency departments. This study was conducted to develop a list of requisite clinical competencies for emergency nurses to provide adequate care for women experiencing IPV.

An e-mail survey using the Delphi technique was administered, involving three rounds of questionnaires from 30 participants. Participants were asked to score the importance of each item on a 4-point Likert scale.

The study identified three dimensions, comprising 38 items of competencies related to care for individuals experiencing IPV, including Knowledge (10 items), Attitudes (11 items), and Practice (17 items).

The emergency department is where direct medical treatment and care is provided for those who have experienced IPV. The study findings can provide a reference for the development of in-service educational programs in hospitals and can guide future policy making.