Improving primary care's role in facilitating access to violence-related care: preliminary findings from a...

Violence is a prevalent determinant of health, yet many individuals affected do not receive appropriate care. Among the barriers identified, existing conceptual frameworks, which tend to rely on strict categorisations, may lack relevance to primary care practice.

This study aims to understand the challenges in accessing healthcare in contexts of violence, and to identify potential pathways for improvement, notably through the development of a comprehensive conceptual framework relevant to the specific challenges of primary care.

We are conducting participatory research involving diverse primary care stakeholders, including GP and patients, in two municipalities in the Brussels Capital Region. The methods include workshops based on the "Group Analysis Method", alongside a case study based on interviews and medical record reviews. The data were analyzed with thematic content analysis.

To date, two workshops have been conducted, involving five healthcare professionals and five patient representatives. Two cases have been analyzed.Preliminary findings highlight both well-documented barriers and violence-specific challenges. Participants agree on the importance of trust and collaboration, while divergences were identified regarding patient credibility, the perceived need to verify accounts, the integration of social context into healthcare, and the role of cultural factors and activism. Notably, the study reveals tensions between individual care provision and broader community responsibilities within primary care.

These initial findings provide a first situational assessment and the basis for a reflection on how violence is conceptualised in primary care. Future phases will deepen thematic analysis and propose concrete, context-sensitive interventions.