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Effects of a Systems Change Model to Respond to Patients Experiencing Partner Violence in Primary Care Medical Settings

  • Program Development and Research on Outcomes for Victims of IPV
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Abstract

Using an 18-month longitudinal follow-up of women receiving healthcare at intervention clinics compared to control clinics, the present study tested four hypotheses related to the effectiveness of a systems change intervention on intimate partner violence (IPV) inquiry, violence reduction and the health and wellbeing of women patients in family medicine clinics. The study also examined participants’ views of the benefits and harms of IPV inquiry. Results showed that the intervention increased IPV inquiry, discussion, and disclosure compared to usual care. Women in intervention clinics made fewer doctor visits, but also received more prescriptions over time. The groups did not differ in change in physical violence, use of safety plans and strategies, connection to the community, patient satisfaction, or quality of health. Over the course of the study, both the intervention and usual care groups adopted more safety behaviors and experienced less violence, suggesting that participating in research interviews may have constituted an unintentional intervention. Small sample size (N = 34), low participation rate (32 %) and attrition (35 %) call for caution in interpreting these results.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by grants from the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program Foundation #2004II-0088, B. Ambuel, P.I., and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention R49/CE001175, L.K. Hamberger, P.I.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger, Bruce Ambuel, Clare E. Guse, Mary Beth Phelan, Marlene Melzer-Lange & Amy Kistner

  2. Wheaton Franciscan Family Care Center, 2400 W. Villard Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53209, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

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  1. L. Kevin Hamberger
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  2. Bruce Ambuel
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  3. Clare E. Guse
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  4. Mary Beth Phelan
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Correspondence to L. Kevin Hamberger.

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Hamberger, L.K., Ambuel, B., Guse, C.E. et al. Effects of a Systems Change Model to Respond to Patients Experiencing Partner Violence in Primary Care Medical Settings. J Fam Viol 29, 581–594 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-014-9616-3

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