Intimate Partner Violence Experienced by Physicians

Abstract

Purpose: World Health Organization (WHO) defines intimate partner violence (IPV) as physical, sexual or psychological harm caused by an intimate partner or ex-partner. There are few studies describing interpersonal violence (IPV) among physicians. Our study describes IPV experienced by U.S. physicians. Methods: This was a multicenter survey administered to 4 physician groups in 2015 to 2016. In total 400 respondents returned survey results. Measures included current IPV, childhood abuse, mental health, professional role, and demographics. Results: IPV was reported by 24% of respondents. The most frequent abuses reported were: verbal (15%), physical (8%) followed by sexual abuse (4%) and stalking (4%). Logistic regression model found that IPV was more likely to be reported by older participants (aged 66–89), those who experienced childhood abuse, working less than full time, and had been diagnosed with a personality disorder. Women and Asian Americans reported slightly higher IPV rates. Conclusions: Our study has implications for both medical education and intervention development. Universal screening and education that addresses clinical implications when treating peers who experience IPV are needed. Workplace interventions that consider unique physician characteristics and experiences are needed, as well as programs that support sustained recovery. This is the first survey to our knowledge that confirms that physicians experience IPV at a rate consistent or higher than the national level. We developed a standardized instrument to assess IPV in male and female physicians at various career stages. We also identified significant predictors that should be included in IPV screening of potential physician victims.

Healthcare Professionals’ Own Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Systematic Review of Risk Markers and Consequences

“…Online Supplemental Appendix D (Table) contains details (including statistics as reported in studies) on risk markers. As well as being female, a nurse or from a LMIC, the following risk markers were associated with experiences of DVA: ethnicity (though no clear pattern emerged about the ethnic groups most at risk) ( Bracken et al, 2010 ; Doyle et al, 1999 ; Reibling et al, 2020 ); increasing number of, or having no, children ( Aguocha et al, 2017 ; Shokre & Ahmed, 2017 ) (although Çakmak Pekşen and Şahin (2019) found number of children was not related) and financial factors. Specifically, women who were dependent solely on their own salary, women whose husbands were unemployed and women who contributed a greater share to household expenses were more likely to experience DVA ( Carmona-Torres et al, 2018 ; Sharma & Vatsa, 2011 ; Shokre & Ahmed, 2017 ) – although Bracken et al (2010) found no association with income itself.…”

Too close for comfort: When the psychiatrist is stalked

“…Discuss this article at www.facebook.com/ MDedgePsychiatry recent stalking by a current or former intimate partner. 9 When a person who is a victim of intimate partner violence is also stalked as part of the abuse, homicide risk increases. 10 Workplace homicides of health care professionals are most likely to be committed by a current or former partner or other personal acquaintance, not by a patient.…”

He hit me; but it’s okay! Female submissiveness in marital abuse: A review in Indian context

“…[ 9 ] Physicians should be taught objective assessment models and the implications of using those models in practice; however, the first step is to appreciate what it’s like to be submissive in an abusive household. [ 10 ]…”