Accidents & Violence, Author Interviews, JAMA, USPSTF / 12.07.2025
USPSTF: Recommendations for Intimate Partner Violence Screening by Health Care Professionals
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_69498" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Chelmow[/caption]
Dr. David Chelmow, M.D.
Leo J. Dunn professor of obstetrics and
Chair of the Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine
Richmond, Virginia
Dr. Chelmow joined the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in January 2022
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, affects millions of people in the United States and can have devastating consequences for one’s health and wellbeing. Clinicians can make a real difference for those affected—evidence shows that there are screening tools that can detect intimate partner violence in women, including those who are pregnant, as well as interventions that work to reduce future violence. As a result, the Task Force recommends that clinicians screen all women of reproductive age, including those who are pregnant and postpartum, for intimate partner violence and refer those who screen positive to ongoing services so they can get the care they need to stay safe.
The Task Force also recognizes that caregiver abuse of older and vulnerable adults is an important issue. Unfortunately, right now there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against screening for caregiver abuse and neglect of older and vulnerable adults, so we are calling for more research in these important areas.
Dr. Chelmow[/caption]
Dr. David Chelmow, M.D.
Leo J. Dunn professor of obstetrics and
Chair of the Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine
Richmond, Virginia
Dr. Chelmow joined the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in January 2022
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, affects millions of people in the United States and can have devastating consequences for one’s health and wellbeing. Clinicians can make a real difference for those affected—evidence shows that there are screening tools that can detect intimate partner violence in women, including those who are pregnant, as well as interventions that work to reduce future violence. As a result, the Task Force recommends that clinicians screen all women of reproductive age, including those who are pregnant and postpartum, for intimate partner violence and refer those who screen positive to ongoing services so they can get the care they need to stay safe.
The Task Force also recognizes that caregiver abuse of older and vulnerable adults is an important issue. Unfortunately, right now there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against screening for caregiver abuse and neglect of older and vulnerable adults, so we are calling for more research in these important areas.