How much training is enough? Evaluating clinician self-reported family violence response skills following a 3-year transformational change project in a major trauma hospital

Abstract

Background: Rates of family violence are high in many societies, with disproportionate impacts on women and children. Healthcare services have an important gateway role for victim-survivors requiring assistance. There is limited evidence regarding how much training is required for hospital clinicians to be adequately prepared to work effectively with clients experiencing family violence. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of different levels of training in family violence, on the knowledge and confidence of hospital clinicians. Design: A cross-sectional, online, survey of hospital clinicians in a major trauma hospital was conducted. The study evaluated the impact of level of family violence training (no training, some training, clinical champions) on staff self-reported family violence knowledge and confidence levels. Methods: The Assisting Patient/Clients Experiencing Family Violence: Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinician Survey tool was utilised, and open for clinicians to complete, anonymously over a 6-week period. Results: In total, 526 clinical staff participated across a range of profession groups (Allied Health, 47%; Nursing 40%; Medical 13%). Staff with some training (mean training hours 3.25, SD 5.23) rated their knowledge and confidence levels at least two-thirds higher than those with no training. Those trained as clinical champions (mean training hours 14.60, SD 9.14) rated their knowledge and confidence at least 50% higher than staff with some training. An even more pronounced elevation across training levels was seen with specific family violence clinical skills – identifying the signs of family violence, knowing how to screen patients and providing an appropriate response to disclosures. Conclusions: Training in family violence clinical response significantly increased self-reported knowledge and confidence levels of hospital staff, with the extra time and resourcing required to train clinical champions, showing clear benefits. The provision of evidence-based and well-resourced family violence education for healthcare professionals is required to drive clinical practice improvements for victim-survivors.