Battered women's experiences in the emergency department

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Emergency Medicine
• Sociology

Background:

• Battered women often present to emergency departments (EDs) with injuries and co-occurring health issues.
• Healthcare providers' perceptions and treatment of battered women in EDs can significantly impact patient outcomes.
• Existing guidelines from organizations like the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) emphasize the need for proper identification and care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the perceptions of battered women and shelter advocates concerning the care received in emergency departments.
• To identify specific negative experiences encountered by battered women in ED settings.
• To inform the development of improved ED protocols for abused women.

Main Methods:

• A mailed survey was administered to 74 battered women and 49 advocates from Michigan shelters.
• Data were collected over an 8-month period.
• Statistical analysis included correlation to examine relationships between health complaints and ED visits.

Main Results:

• 50% of battered women reported negative ED experiences, including humiliation, victim-blaming, and minimization of abuse.
• Many battered women presented with physical (39.7%) and mental (37.7%) health problems linked to abuse.
• A positive correlation (r=0.28) was observed between physical complaints and the number of prior ED visits.

Conclusions:

• Emergency departments require enhanced policies and procedures for identifying, treating, and referring battered women.
• Addressing the negative experiences reported by battered women is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.
• The findings support the development of model ED protocols aligned with JCAHO guidelines on abuse.