Exploring Emergency Healthcare for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence With Comorbid Psychological Distress
File version
Version of Record (VoR)
Author(s)
Sapkota, Diksha
Meyer, Silke
Clarke, Karen‐Ann
Atiénzar‐Prieto, Maria
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) may cause significant mental and physical health deterioration. This gendered violence often results in victims seeking support from emergency healthcare providers. Yet very little is known about the care provided to these patients. The objective of this research was to provide a descriptive analysis of care provision within the emergency setting to women experiencing IPV with concurrent psychological distress. A retrospective chart review was undertaken. This included screening 300 patient charts with inclusion/exclusion criteria to arrive at a final sample size of 32 patient charts comprising 43 presentations from 2020 to 2022. Whilst IPV is being recognised within emergency healthcare, clinician responses suggest a pathologising of symptoms associated with IPV victimisation and a focus on physiological care. Pathways in place to promote patient safety and outpatient services were rarely utilised. Furthermore, paramedics were seen to have removed autonomy from patients using Public Health Legislation, potentially causing secondary re-victimisation. There are several ways in which healthcare clinicians can improve their care to patients experiencing IPV. Education surrounding healthcare roles and responsibilities and family violence legislation may be central to improving service provision. Knowledge of and referral to appropriate outpatient support services may also be a method by which to address ongoing health and safety concerns.
Journal Title
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
34
Issue
2
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Specialist studies in education
Health services and systems
Nursing
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Dhollande, S; Sapkota, D; Meyer, S; Clarke, K; Atiénzar‐Prieto, M, Exploring Emergency Healthcare for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence With Comorbid Psychological Distress, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2025, 34 (2), pp. e70050