Asking the difficult questions: Building the capacity of community paediatricians to routinely enquire and respond to family violence

Making Education Easy

Authors:

Gibbons CL et al.

June 1, 2018

Summary:

This Australian research group reviewed the literature for data on family violence education programmes and evidence‐based family violence screening tools. They then developed a series of six education sessions, which were delivered to physicians at the Community Paediatric and Child Health Service (CPCHS) in Canberra. These sessions were designed with the aim of enhancing the confidence and capacity of community paediatricians and paediatric trainees to identify and respond to family violence. An audit was performed on the charts of all new referrals to the CPCHS over an 18-month period prior to the education sessions and for 5 months following the education sessions. The documented rate of enquiry into family violence at CPCHS increased 4-fold from 24% in the retrospective chart audit to 60% following the education sessions (OR 4.7; p<0.05). In addition, the documented rate of disclosure of family violence increased 2-fold, from 13% of all new patients in the retrospective chart audit to 24% following the education sessions (OR 2.1; p<0.05). A questionnaire distributed after the education sessions revealed that all participants routinely enquired about family violence and were comfortable enquiring about family violence.

Comment:

I’ve had difficulties enquiring about family violence with whānau. However, attending the training and having the standard questions/guidelines has been immensely useful. I now understand the contexts or environments in which family violence is more likely to occur (stress, poverty, housing issues), that whānau have a right to live their lives free of violence, and that I have an important role addressing the upstream ‘risks’ and preventing the downstream effects.

Reference: J Paediatr Child Health. 2018;54(3):234-7

Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.

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