“Domestic violence is an important problem that is often not recognized by physicians” (Sherin et al, 1998). Screening for domestic violence in physical therapy unit is of critical importance, to ensure that all causes of patients’ health problems are appropriately addressed. Women experiencing physical abuse and regular battering are more likely to frequently visit healthcare services. The signs and symptoms of domestic violence range from irritable bowl syndrome to urinary tract infections and mental health disorders (Coker et al, 2001).
That is why in physical therapy clinical setting screening for domestic violence should be the indispensable element of primary care. Literature discusses numerous violence screening techniques which are available to physical therapy specialists; however, Women’s Experience with Battering Scale (WEB) has proved to be more effective for the identification of chronic mental and physical health problems as a result of constant physical and moral abuse (Coker et al, 2001).
WEB is a 10-item scale “which measures battering by characterizing women’s perception of their vulnerability to physical and psychological danger or loss of power and control in relationships with male partners” (Coker et al, 2001). Compared to other viable tools of violence screening, WEB allows identifying IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) symptoms which do not necessarily relate to injuries but are expressed through various chronic health disorders.
There is no evidence for the fact that such type of violence screening is performed in the clinic where I work. Current research suggests that the signs of domestic abuse in women may take different forms and manifest themselves as headaches, sexually transmitted infections, gastrointestinal distress, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, etc. (Stevens, 2007).
However, our healthcare providers tend to forget about the direct link between violence and these types of health complications. Statistically, only 15. 5% of patients are screened by physicians for violence (Stevens, 2007). That is why the clinic should pay more attention to the causes of healthcare problems among women. As a result, the clinic will be able to raise the overall effectiveness of medical treatment for all population layers.
References
Coker, A. L. , Pope, B. O. , Smith, P. H. & Sanderson, M. (2001). Assessment for clinical partner violence screening tools. JAMWA, 56 (1). Retrieved July 27, 2008 from http://www. amwa-doc. org/index. cfm? objectid=C2CBDCEB-D567-0B25-50D44B74BDBBC160 Sherin, K. M. , Sinacore, J. M. , Xiao-Qiang, Li, Zitter, R. E. & Shakil, A. (1998). HITS: A short
domestic violence screening tool for use in a family practice setting. Clinical Research and Methods, 30 (7). Retrieved July 27, 2008 from http://www. orchd. com/CommunityViolence/DomesticScreenTool. pdf Stevens, L. (2007). Screening for sexual violence: gaps in research and recommendations for change. VAWnet Applied Research Forum. Retrieved July 27, 2008 from http://new. vawnet. org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_ScreeningforSV. pdf