Breaking the ice: How awareness training affects the treatment of domestic violence patients by health care professionals

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence (DV) is a neglected topic in health care, resulting in delays in the identification of DV victims and suboptimal care. 

PURPOSE: The attitudes of health care professionals (HCPs) toward stigmas associated with victims of DV can affect the care offered to the latter. The HCPs' attitude toward victims of DV is therefore an important but neglected topic in health care research. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether awareness training changes HCPs' attitudes toward victims of DV, especially with regard to their stigmatization. 

METHODOLOGY: Problem-centered interviews were conducted with 12 health professionals (six women and six men, six with and six without previous awareness training) concerning their attitudes and approaches to DV and those affected by it. 

RESULTS: Our data analysis indicates a significant difference in HPC attitudes toward potential DV victims depending on whether or not HCPs have undergone awareness training. 

CONCLUSION: Awareness training does not only improve theoretical knowledge about DV; it also changes staff attitudes toward DV victims, especially with regard to their stigmatization. 

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our study shows that awareness training changes the HCPs' attitudes toward victims of DV. This change in attitude might reduce pressure on both the HCP and the victim, which in turn might help the victim to accept the care offered. Therefore, awareness training can help to reduce barriers to helping victims of DV.