Routine Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in an Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic

Abstract

Intimate partner violence affects 5% to 22% of women seen in primary care settings.1–4 Routine screening of all adult women is recommended by advocacy and medical organizations.5–7 However, implementation of screening has not been studied outside of a research intervention. Physician barriers to screening include concerns about time, training, and lack of available treatments.8,9 Women report barriers to disclosure, such as confidentiality concerns, shame, and fear of escalating violence or loss of child custody.10,11