Projects per year
Abstract
Objectives
Sexual health and gynaecological problems are the most consistent and largest physical health differences between abused and non-abused female populations. Sexual health services are well placed to identify and support patients experiencing domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Most sexual health professionals have had minimal DVA training despite English National Institute for Care and Health Excellence (NICE) recommendations. We sought to determine the feasibility of an evidence-based complex DVA training intervention in female sexual health walk-in services. (IRIS ADViSE: Identification and Referral to Improve Safety whilst Assessing Domestic Violence in Sexual Health Environments).
Methods
An adaptive mixed method pilot study in the female walk-in service of two sexual health clinics. Following implementation and evaluation at site 1, the intervention was refined before implementation at site 2. The intervention comprised electronic prompts, multidisciplinary training sessions, clinic materials, and simple referral pathways to IRIS ADViSE advocate-educators. The pilot lasted seven weeks at site 1 and 12 weeks at site 2. Feasibility outcomes were to assign a supportive DVA clinical lead, an IRIS ADViSE advocate-educator employed by a local DVA provider, adapt electronic records, develop local referral pathways, assess whether enquiry, identification and referral rates were measurable.
Results
Both sites achieved all feasibility outcomes: appointing a supportive DVA clinical lead and IRIS ADViSE advocate-educator, establishing links with a local DVA provider, adapting electronic records, developing local referral pathways and rates of enquiry, identification and referral were found to be measurable. Site 1: 10% enquiry rate (N=267), 4% identification rate (n=16) and eight AE referrals. Site 2: 61% enquiry rate (N=1090), a 7% identification rate (n=79) and eight AE referrals.
Conclusions
IRIS ADViSE can be successfully developed and implemented in sexual health clinics. It fulfills the unmet need for DVA training. Longer-term evaluation is recommended.
Sexual health and gynaecological problems are the most consistent and largest physical health differences between abused and non-abused female populations. Sexual health services are well placed to identify and support patients experiencing domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Most sexual health professionals have had minimal DVA training despite English National Institute for Care and Health Excellence (NICE) recommendations. We sought to determine the feasibility of an evidence-based complex DVA training intervention in female sexual health walk-in services. (IRIS ADViSE: Identification and Referral to Improve Safety whilst Assessing Domestic Violence in Sexual Health Environments).
Methods
An adaptive mixed method pilot study in the female walk-in service of two sexual health clinics. Following implementation and evaluation at site 1, the intervention was refined before implementation at site 2. The intervention comprised electronic prompts, multidisciplinary training sessions, clinic materials, and simple referral pathways to IRIS ADViSE advocate-educators. The pilot lasted seven weeks at site 1 and 12 weeks at site 2. Feasibility outcomes were to assign a supportive DVA clinical lead, an IRIS ADViSE advocate-educator employed by a local DVA provider, adapt electronic records, develop local referral pathways, assess whether enquiry, identification and referral rates were measurable.
Results
Both sites achieved all feasibility outcomes: appointing a supportive DVA clinical lead and IRIS ADViSE advocate-educator, establishing links with a local DVA provider, adapting electronic records, developing local referral pathways and rates of enquiry, identification and referral were found to be measurable. Site 1: 10% enquiry rate (N=267), 4% identification rate (n=16) and eight AE referrals. Site 2: 61% enquiry rate (N=1090), a 7% identification rate (n=79) and eight AE referrals.
Conclusions
IRIS ADViSE can be successfully developed and implemented in sexual health clinics. It fulfills the unmet need for DVA training. Longer-term evaluation is recommended.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Sexually Transmitted Infections |
| Early online date | 19 Jul 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 19 Jul 2017 |
Keywords
- complex interventions
- evidence-based medicine
- public health
- women
- health services research
Access to Document
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This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via BMJ at http://sti.bmj.com/content/early/2017/07/18/sextrans-2016-052866. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
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Dive into the research topics of 'Improving the healthcare response to domestic violence and abuse in sexual health clinics: feasibility study of a training, support and referral intervention'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Improving the response to domestic violence and abuse in sexual health clinics
Horwood, J., Morden, A. W. & Feder, G. S.
1/02/15 → 28/02/17
Project: Research
Profiles
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Professor Gene S Feder
- Bristol Medical School (PHS) - Professor of Primary Care
- Bristol Population Health Science Institute
- Centre for Academic Primary Care
Person: Academic , Member