Clinician Experiences and Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence Screening for Older Patients: Implications for Research and Practice

Research on intimate partner violence (IPV) screening and response has focused largely on women of reproductive age, yet all patient populations may experience IPV and benefit from identification and response in the healthcare setting. Through analysis of in-depth interviews, this study examines perspectives of clinicians across a variety of healthcare disciplines and roles on conducting IPV screening and response protocols with older patient populations, often previously excluded from routine IPV screening. Study findings reveal mixed experiences with older patient response to being asked about possible IPV in their relationships and mixed clinician perceptions about the value and necessity for routine IPV screening among older adult patient populations. The findings point to a need for increased patient and clinician education about IPV risk among older adults and possible reconsideration of approaches to assessment of both IPV as well as other forms of elder abuse among older patient populations.