Intimate Partner Violence Knowledge and Preparation: Perspective of Health Care Profession Students

Introduction. Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) access various health care services for diagnosis and treatment of their injuries. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether IPV attitudes, perceived knowledge, and preparation differ by the health care program in which the students are enrolled. The secondary aim was to determine whether demographic and clinical variables known to predict self-perceived IPV knowledge and preparation differ between health care professions. Review of Literature. Intimate partner violence is a global public health concern affecting approximately 25% of women and 10% of men. Persons with a history of IPV have elevated health care utilization rates compared with persons with no history of IPV. Health care providers without adequate IPV training may discount/minimize the abuse or blame the victim for the abuse. Subjects. Respondents included students enrolled in entry-level physical therapy/occupational therapy programs (n = 96), prelicensure nursing programs (n = 141), and medical school (n = 154). Methods. Respondents completed the Nursing Roles and Values Scale, Domestic Violence Myth Assessment Survey, and a modified Provider Readiness to Manage IPV Survey online. Results. Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (PT/OT) students had the lowest self-perceived IPV knowledge and preparation scores and were more likely to adhere to IPV myths. Self-perceived IPV knowledge and preparation were predicted by student's opinions about IPV and level of IPV training, regardless of health care profession. Lifetime IPV experience predicted medical student's level of IPV knowledge but did not predict PT/OT and nursing students' knowledge. Discussion and Conclusion. Intimate partner violence education was shown to significantly influence students' perceived knowledge and preparation to care for victims of IPV, supporting the need for inclusion of IPV content in health profession curricula. Academic programs provide an ideal opportunity to prepare future health care providers with the knowledge and preparation to appropriately respond to IPV in the clinical environment.