Reporting Domestic Violence Behaviors of Family Nurse Practitioners

While prior research has focused on the prevalence of women presenting with domestic violence injuries in the emergency department, many more women present with injury and/or illness in primary care settings. Primary health care settings are often the first place an abused woman is seen when the violence begins.

The purpose of this study is to identify the reporting behaviors of family nurse practitioners practicing in New York State. A random sample of nurse practitioners completed a domestic violence reporting survey.

This survey included questions regarding health care providers’ perceptions about barriers to identifying victims, barriers to asking specific questions about domestic violence, barriers to referring victims, as well as their own past history of interpersonal violence. The results of this study will discuss the overall behaviors of nurse practitioners when dealing with victims of domestic violence. Similarities and differences will be discussed regarding nurse practitioners: demographic characteristics, past history of violence, location of practice setting (rural/ urban), type of practice setting, and socio-economic characteristics of clients.

The findings of this study are particularly important for planning curricular content for nurse practitioner programs, and for developing continuing education programs. Additional research on providers’ perceptions and behaviors is needed to improve the care of this at-risk population.

If you would like more information about this research, you may contact:

Gale Spencer
Sharon Bryant

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