Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Addressing Caregiver Intimate Partner Violence in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Cheyenne Smith1, Ashlee Murray2
1Resident, Department of Pediatrics,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Insights
Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects 1 in 4 children, impacting their health. Pediatric emergency departments can improve identification and support for families experiencing IPV through universal education and trauma-informed care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Social Science
Background:
- Caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue, with approximately 25% of children exposed to family violence.
- Exposure to IPV is linked to adverse physical, emotional, and cognitive developmental outcomes in children.
- Pediatric emergency departments (EDs) serve as crucial settings for identifying and intervening in cases of caregiver IPV due to frequent healthcare utilization by affected families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the prevalence of caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) in pediatric settings.
- To identify best practices for the identification, trauma-informed care, documentation, and resource provision for caregiver IPV within pediatric emergency departments (EDs).
- To advocate for universal education strategies to normalize conversations and enhance support access for caregivers affected by IPV.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and clinical guidelines on caregiver IPV in pediatric emergency settings.
- Exploration of the prevalence and impact of IPV on child health outcomes.
- Analysis of best practices for screening, intervention, and resource allocation in pediatric EDs.
- Highlighting the American Academy of Pediatrics-endorsed universal education approach.
Main Results:
- Caregiver IPV is prevalent, necessitating proactive identification and intervention strategies in pediatric EDs.
- Universal education, providing IPV resources to all caregivers, is an effective method to normalize discussions and increase support access.
- Implementing trauma-informed care, thorough documentation, and resource provision are key components of effective intervention.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric emergency departments are vital for addressing caregiver IPV and mitigating its impact on child well-being.
- Universal education and trauma-informed care are essential strategies for enhancing IPV identification and intervention in pediatric EDs.
- Continued efforts are crucial to improve the response to caregiver IPV within the pediatric healthcare system to address this widespread public health concern.
Abstract:
Caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) is common, with an estimated one in 4 children exposed to family violence during their lifetime. This often leads to poor physical, emotional, and cognitive outcomes for these children. Pediatric emergency departments (EDs) are critical touchpoints for addressing caregiver IPV, as these caregivers frequently seek care for their children. This CME article explores the prevalence of caregiver IPV and identifies best practices around identification, trauma-informed care, documentation, and resource provision within pediatric EDs. We highlight universal education-an approach endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics-which involves providing IPV-related resources to all caregivers to normalize conversations and expand access to support. Ongoing efforts to enhance caregiver IPV identification and intervention in the pediatric ED setting are crucial for addressing this widespread public health concern.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
01:20Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...