Organization-Based Factors Bearing on Provider Screening and Referral Practices for Women Exposed to Intimate Partner...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Systems
• Social Work

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue requiring effective healthcare interventions.
• Screening and referral for specialized services are crucial components of healthcare for women exposed to IPV.
• Primary care settings are vital for identifying and addressing IPV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current practices, provisions, and perceived barriers related to IPV screening and referral among healthcare practitioners.
• To identify factors influencing the routine screening and referral of patients/clients for IPV.
• To explore the impact of organizational and practitioner-based barriers on IPV service provision.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to medical care providers (N=223) and social/behavioral practitioners (N=197) before an IPV training program.
• The survey assessed current practices, available resources, and perceived barriers to IPV screening and referral.
• Statistical analyses examined associations between barrier types, organizational provisions, and screening/referral rates.

Main Results:

• Approximately half of all participants did not routinely screen for IPV, with no significant difference between professional groups.
• Medical care providers demonstrated significantly lower utilization of referral resources compared to social/behavioral practitioners.
• Organization-based barriers were more strongly associated with lower screening and referral rates than practitioner-based barriers.
• Tangible provisions, such as protocols and practice materials, significantly improved screening and referral rates, especially for medical providers.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare systems must adopt a systems-level approach to enhance intimate partner violence services.
• Addressing organizational barriers and providing tangible resources are critical for improving IPV screening and referral practices.
• Enhancing organizational practices is essential for effective IPV intervention within healthcare settings.