Interdisciplinary health care and female victims of domestic violence

Female victims of domestic violence often face uncertainty in hospital emergency rooms. Victims may encounter physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care providers who do not work collaboratively, have limited knowledge of domestic violence, and express negative attitudes. Hence, treatment outcomes may be negative. A retrospective case study of 153 medical records of female victims at two Midwestern hospital emergency medicine departments was completed. Findings suggest positive treatment outcome where interdisciplinary collaboration was evident. Included were more accurate assessments in terms of past history, more descriptive emotional symptoms displayed by victims, and written documentation of recommendations concerning intervention and linkage to community resources. Implications for policy and interdisciplinary training are discussed.