Awareness, Knowledge, and Screening for Intimate Partner Violence Among Orthopedic Surgeons in Israel

Abstract

This study examines factors associated with screening of female patients for intimate partner violence (IPV) by orthosurgeons in a sample of 100 Israeli orthosurgeons. Findings reveal positive attitudes toward screening female patients but a significant lack of knowledge. Arab orthosurgeons held slightly more negative attitudes toward screening for IPV and had a more prominent lack of knowledge regarding screening for IPV, compared to their Jewish counterparts. Nationality and feeling uncomfortable asking female patients about IPV predicted screening for IPV. The importance of training orthosurgeons on the assessment and treatment of IPV cannot be overemphasized, especially among Arab orthosurgeons.

Intimate partner violence: an orthopaedic agenda

“…Research abroad indicates that practitioners feel uncomfortable discussing IPV with patients, rarely ask about IPV, and are unsure of support services available. [13][14][15] In some institutions in South Africa, IPV does not form part of the undergraduate medical curriculum nor is IPV training standard practice in the workplace. Consequently, junior doctors are likely to experience the same uncertainty as their overseas counterparts.…”