Citation

Iverson KM, Sorrentino AE, Bellamy SL, Grillo AR, Haywood TN, Medvedeva E, Roberts CB, Dichter ME. Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry 2018; 51: 79-84.

Affiliation

Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.01.002

PMID

29353128

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has implemented screening for past-year intimate partner violence (IPV) in some healthcare facilities along with secondary screening of risk for severe violence among those screening positive in order to facilitate follow-up care for high-risk patients. We evaluated the adoption, penetration, and effectiveness of secondary screening as a tool to facilitate timely follow-up services.

METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records (screening and healthcare use) of 774 women screening positive for past-year IPV (IPV+) at 11 facilities nationwide from April 2014-April 2016. Chi-square and t-tests examined factors related to secondary screening.

RESULTS: Three of eleven (27.3%) facilities that implemented primary IPV screening adopted secondary screening. At adopting sites, 56.4% eligible (i.e., IPV+) women received secondary screening. Among 185 IPV+ women who completed secondary screening, 33.0% screened positive for severe IPV. Screening positive during secondary screening was associated with higher rate of psychosocial care within 60 days (73.8% vs. 54.0% of IPV+ patients screening negative; p < .05), posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis (31.1% vs. 15.3%; p < .05), and being physically threatened or harmed (>50% vs. <15%; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: Secondary risk assessment following IPV screening may expedite access to psychosocial follow-up care in integrated healthcare settings. However, program uptake needs to be enhanced.

Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Behavioral health; Implementation; Screening; Service utilization; Timeliness; Women veterans