05 Aug Primary Care Study: Screening Women For Partner Violence Did Not Improve Health
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Joanne Klevens, MD, PhD
Division of Violence Prevention
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, Georgia
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Klevens: The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends women of reproductive age be screened for partner violence but others, such as the World Health Organization and the Cochrane Collaborative conclude there is insufficient evidence for this recommendation. Our randomized clinical trial allocated 2700 women seeking care in outpatient clinics to 1 of 3 study groups: computerized partner violence screening and provision of local resource list, universal provision of partner violence resource list without screening, or a no-screen/no resource list control group. No differences were found in women’s quality of life, days lost from work or housework, use of health care and partner violence services, or the recurrence of partner violence after 1 year. In this three-year follow-up, no differences were found in the average number of hospitalizations, emergency room visits or ambulatory care visits.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Klevens: This is one study and does not rule out asking women about their experiences of violence; however, among women attending primary care clinics, the findings indicate that just providing a list of partner violence resources, with or without asking questions about partner violence, did not result in improved health. More intensive interventions may be necessary to see health benefits. Other studies suggest that screening coupled with multiple sessions of counseling may be effective among some groups of women (e.g., pregnant women) and on other types of outcomes (e.g., preterm birth).
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Klevens: There are at least 4 interventions for women experiencing partner violence with some evidence of health impacts. However, these interventions have been evaluated among specific groups of women (e.g., pregnant women, women in or exiting domestic violence shelters). Future research could determine whether these interventions are utilized by and have benefits for women seeking primary care for reasons other than pregnancy. Future research also is needed to see if more intensive interventions such as screening plus counseling sessions or case management to actively help women access services might improve health outcomes for women experiencing or at risk for intimate partner violence.
Citation:
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Joanne Klevens, MD, PhD (2015). Primary Care Study: Screening Women For Partner Violence Did Not Improve Health MedicalResearch.com
Last Updated on August 5, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD