Domestic Violence In Patients - Underestimated By Medical Staff Self-Report Data From Medical Staff Of Outpatient Clinical Settings In Dresden And Chemnitz And Of The Inpatient Departments Of The Medical University Of Dresden In Saxony, Germany

Medical staffs have a key role in the adequate treatment of victims of domestic violence. The present study collects self-report data about subjective perception, general knowledge and motivation for further training about domestic violence from medical staff of inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. A questionnaire was developed and sent to doctors, nursing staff, midwives, and psychotherapists working in outpatient clinical settings in Dresden and Chemnitz and in the inpatient departments of the Medical University of Dresden in Saxony, Germany. 1,107 (23%) of 4,886 distributed questionnaires were returned and analysed. The participants reported that they were seldom confronted with the consequences of domestic violence in their clinical practice. The unawareness among staff in specialised care facilities and advisory centres was highly noticeable. More than 90% of the participants did not know the main advisory centre for victims of domestic violence. Even if some facilities were known there was virtually no contact. The majority was not satisfied with the level of support they were able to offer. Further difficulties pointed out by participants included lack of time and the assumption that victims were unwilling to answer questions about domestic violence. The participants also expressed a high demand for further training.