“I feel it is not enough…” Health providers’ perspectives on services for victims of intimate partner violence in Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundThis study explores the views and attitudes of health providers in Malaysia towards intimate partner violence (IPV) and abused women and considers whether and how their views affect the provision or quality of services. The impact of provider attitudes on the provision of services for women experiencing violence is particularly important to understand since there is a need to ensure that these women are not re-victimised by the health sector, but are treated sensitively.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 54 health care providers responsible for providing services to survivors of IPV and working in health care facilities in two Northern States in Malaysia. A thematic framework analysis method was employed to analyse the emerging themes. Interviews were coded and managed by using NVIVO (N7), a qualitative software package.ResultsWe found that when providers follow the traditional role of treating and solving IPV as “medical problem”, they tend to focus on the physical aspect of the injury, minimise the underlying cause of the problem and ignore emotional care for patients. Providers frequently felt under-trained and poorly supported in their role to help women beyond merely treating their physical injuries. What emerged from the findings is that time shortages may well impact on the ability of medical officers to identify cases of abuse, with some saying that time limitations made it more difficult to detect the real problem behind the injury. However, data from the interviews seem to suggest that time constraints may or may not end up resulting in limited care, depending on the individual interest of medical professionals on violence issues.ConclusionsPromoting empathetic health care provision is challenging. More awareness training and sensitisation could help, especially if courses focus on women’s needs and strengths and how health providers can validate these and contribute to a longer term process of change for victims of violence. Clear guidance on how to record history of abuse, ask questions sensitively and validate experiences is also important together with training on good communication skills such as listening and being empathetic.

Analysing training in gender-based violence for undergraduate nursing students in Spain: A mixed-methods study

“…A relevant finding of this study is the high percentage of undergraduate nurses training programmes that have included GBV in their curricula, showing a very positive change to previous research findings in the country, where none of the autonomous regions had institutionalized training in GBV (Goicolea et al, 2013). At international level, although no similar studies that allow for comparison have been found, the repeated call for specific training in the topic in many publications (Colombini et al, 2013;Damra et al, 2015;WHO, 2013b), reflect that institutionalized training in GBV is scarce. Therefore, the extensive inclusion of GBV training found in this research might be the first step for a turning point in the health-care sector response to GBV in Spain.…”

“…Evidence shows that training can increase knowledge, improve self-efficacy and help health-care professionals acquire skills to successfully respond to women exposed to GBV (Connor et al, 2013;Murillo et al, 2017). Consequently, the inclusion of training in GBV for both undergraduate students and health-care professionals has been strongly recommended in international literature (Colombini et al, 2013(Colombini et al, , 2012Damra et al, 2015;WHO, 2013b). In Spain, where this study took place, these recommendations have also been reflected in legislation.…”

Violencia contra las mujeres: definiciones del personal sanitario en los centros de atención primaria de Córdoba, Argentina.

“…Se ha señalado que las definiciones de la VCM están influidas por normas culturales, experiencias personales y emociones (36). Como personas que viven en una sociedad estructurada por el sistema de género entre otros ejes de desigualdad social, los y las profesionales sanitarios han sido socializados con los mismos valores culturales y en similares niveles de violencia que los y las usuarios que acuden a sus centros de salud (37) (38). En consecuencia es lógico que sus definiciones sobre la VCM reflejen opiniones machistas internalizadas (12) (36).…”

“…En consecuencia es lógico que sus definiciones sobre la VCM reflejen opiniones machistas internalizadas (12) (36). Colombini y colegas (38) señalan que existe una relación entre cómo los y las efectores de salud conciben la VCM y su respuesta frente a la problemática. Por tanto es crucial fortalecer el conocimiento sobre la VCM desde una perspectiva de género y de derechos humanos para garantizar el correcto abordaje de la VCM.…”

The (un)receptive experiences of female rape victims who seek healthcare services

“…A study conducted with 54 health professionals who provide care to women victims of intimate partner violence in two states and in the north of Malaysia state that these women should be treated with sensitivity by health services, and which should seek care strategies without re-victimizing them (16) . Institutional conditions to prioritize their attendance should be created.…”