Recognising and responding to intimate partner violence using telehealth: practical guidance for nurses and midwives

Susan M. Jack*, Michelle L. Munro-Kramer, Jessica R. Williams, Donna Schminkey, Elizabeth Tomlinson, Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson, Caroline Bradbury-Jones, Jacquelyn C. Campbell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
334 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Aims: To synthesise the current, global evidence-informed guidance that supports nurses and midwives to recognise and respond to intimate partner violence (IPV), and how these practices can be translated from face-to-face encounters to care that is delivered through telehealth.

Background: COVID-19-related social and physical distancing measures increase the risk for individuals who are socially isolated with partners who perpetuate violence. Providing support through telehealth is one strategy that can mitigate the pandemic of IPV, while helping patients and providers stay safe from COVID-19.

Design and Methods: In this discursive paper, we describe how practical guidance for safely recognising and responding to IPV in telehealth encounters was developed. The ADAPT-ITT (Assessment, Decisions, Administration, Production, Topical Experts, Integration, Testing, Training) framework was used to guide the novel identification and adaptation of evidence-informed guidance. We focused on the first six stages of the ADAPT-ITT framework.

Conclusions: This paper fills a gap in available guidance, specifically for IPV recognition and response via telehealth. We present strategies for prioritising safety and promoting privacy while initiating, managing or terminating a telehealth encounter with patients who may be at risk for or experiencing IPV. Strategies for assessment, planning and intervention are also summarised. System-level responses, such as increasing equitable access to telecommunication technology, are also discussed.

Relevance to clinical practice: Integrating innovative IPV-focused practices into telehealth care is an important opportunity for nurses and midwives during the current global COVID-19 pandemic. There are also implications for future secondary outbreaks, natural disasters or other physically isolating events, for improving healthcare efficiency, and for addressing the needs of vulnerable populations with limited access to health care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)588-602
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing
Volume30
Issue number3-4
Early online date3 Nov 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
No financial support was received for this work.

With their permission, we would like to express our deep appreciation to the following academics who served as topic experts for this piece of work: Linda Bullock RN PhD FAAN (University of Virginia, United States), Karen Campbell RN PhD (Western University, Canada), Sinegugu Duma RN PhD (University of Kwazulu‐Natal, South Africa), Julie McGarry RN DHSCi (University of Nottingham, United Kingdom) and Janet Yuen Ha Wong RN PhD (Hong Kong University, Hong Kong). Each of these individuals is internationally recognised for their scholarship and leadership in addressing and responding to gender‐based violence within healthcare settings. The guidance developed in this document was strengthened through the authors' attention to this expert feedback. Selected content in Tables 2‐4 adapted with permission from the VEGA Project. VEGA (Violence, Evidence, Guidance, Action) family violence education resources [Internet]. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University; 2020. Available from: https://vegaproject.mcmaster.ca . No financial support was received for this work. Jacquelyn Campbell receives funding through the Anna D. Wolf Chair.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Keywords

  • guidance
  • intimate partner violence
  • mobile health
  • nursing
  • quality assurance
  • health care
  • referral and consultation
  • screening
  • telehealth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nursing(all)

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