The provision of emergency healthcare to patients experiencing intimate partner violence: A scoping review

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health problem that causes acute and chronic adverse impacts on victim-survivors' physical and psychological well-being. For many, the emergency department is the first point of contact when seeking support. Yet the provision of emergency care to victim-survivors of IPV is often focused on biomedical care, which fails to meet the needs of this at-risk patient cohort. METHODS: This review aims to synthesise evidence to guide the provision of emergency healthcare to patients experiencing IPV with the goal to improve the quality of holistic care, through a standardised response. A scoping review was undertaken. Search terms and phrases were employed to search six healthcare databases and open-access materials. Literature was not excluded by study design. A critical appraisal using the PRISMA checklist was employed. Data was then analysed using a developed framework to ensure relevance to the stated aim and context. RESULTS: There were 29 studies included in this review, which provided clinical practice recommendations surrounding the following elements of emergency healthcare provision: Screening, Assessment, Interventions, Referrals, Safety Planning and Patient Education. An interdisciplinary approach that considers both physical and psychosocial needs was developed. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides recommendations to standardise the provision of patient-focused emergency healthcare to patients experiencing IPV with a focus on the Australian context. The need for guidance on specific elements to consider within each aspect of the victim-survivors' healthcare journey was emphasised and provided within a clear framework. This guidance may aid in developing clear, structured frameworks for the provision of quality interdisciplinary care to victim-survivors of IPV.