An Exploration of Emergency Healthcare Provision When Intimate Partner Abuse Is Identified

AIM: This paper aims to synthesise the current, global evidence on addressing psychological concerns of women presenting with domestic and family violence within the ED and suggest avenues for future research. DESIGN: This discursive paper draws on clinical experience and research of the authors and critical synthesis of current literature on management of victim-survivors of DFV presenting with psychological symptoms in ED. METHODS: Academic databases and grey literature were systematically searched to identify relevant sources, and findings were narratively synthesised. RESULTS: DFV victim-survivors often present with mental health symptoms in ED; however, many health professionals in EDs fail to correctly identify the underlying trauma and offer support to address DFV. The most reported barriers to DFV screening/identification include time constraints, privacy issues, and lack of education/training about DFV and its support mechanisms. As a result, only mental health symptoms are being treated, ignoring the broader psychosocial needs of DFV victim-survivors. Use of trauma-informed support models is recommended to address the mental and psychosocial needs of DFV victim-survivors visiting the ED. CONCLUSIONS: DFV victim-survivors visiting the ED are often treated for their mental health symptoms without addressing their underlying trauma and risk of future victimisation. To address the ongoing adverse impact of DFV, it is necessary to ensure holistic and continual support from ED professionals for victims. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: The importance of not only education but the implementation of sustained education and training programs surrounding DFV identification, screening, and cannot be understood. DFV is a global problem whereby many victim-survivors become healthcare patients. It would be poor decision making for clinicians to not prioritise appropriate responses to this societal problem within their clinical practice.