What Are Barriers to Nurses Screening for Intimate Partner Violence? Essay Example

Introduction

An article by Kothair, Koestner, & Rohs (2013) addresses the importance of understanding intimate partner violence and how nurses screen for this condition upon hospital admission. Many nurses have noted that they do not examine patients who have experienced potential or actual intimate partner violence on a routine basis, but that during the periods they have been required to examine them, there have been no complications (Kothair et.al, 2013).

First Focus Area

It appears that a lack of training regarding the appropriate methods to screen patients for intimate partner violence is an issue that some patients face that requires further evaluation (Kothair et.al, 2013). Unfortunately, this problem continues to grow in scope and requires further attention and focus, due to the nature of these conditions and what is likely to occur for patients who experience this type of trauma (Kothari et.al, 2013). It is believed that healthcare professionals have been “slow and inconsistent” in their responses to this condition, thereby creating a number of limitations with respect to patient advocacy and support at a higher level (Kothair et.al, 2013). Nurses who lack the training to screen for intimate partner violence may not understand the scope of this condition and how it impacts patients; therefore, these issues must be addressed in a timely manner to meet patient needs more carefully (Kothari et.al, 2013).

Conclusion and Second Focus Area

This article also introduces the concept of nurse sensitivity and training regarding an important issue for women, and these principles may be applied to a variety of other conditions that may impact patients that require a high degree of sensitivity and knowledge by the nursing team (Kothari et.al, 2013). This process will ensure that patients receive the support that is required in the emergency department to achieve the intended outcomes and expectations for treatment, along with the confidentiality and privacy that is necessary.

References

Kothari, C., Koestner, A. L., & Rohs, T. (2013). What Are Barriers to Nurses Screening for Intimate Partner Violence?. Journal of Trauma Nursing.