A brief educational intervention to improve health service responsiveness to intimate partner violence: a mixed methods evaluation

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a brief educational intervention on clinicians’ ability to identify and respond to intimate partner violence (IPV) in a large metropolitan hospital orthopaedics unit in Australia. METHODS: A mixed methods design was used. The intervention for physiotherapists and social workers included a foundational session on Sensitive Inquiry theory and simulations, followed by two one-hour workshops. All 15 trained participants contributed qualitative data via pre- and post-training focus groups or interviews exploring IPV-related knowledge and perceptions. Data were inductively coded and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Quantitative analysis of de-identified hospital data compared IPV detection rates over 12 months pre- and post-training. Beta regression assessed IPV detection as the primary outcome, adjusting for gender, study week, and COVID-19 impact. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis showed positive shifts across multiple domains in the Theoretical Domains Framework. Participants reported greater knowledge, confidence, and skills in IPV inquiry, alongside increased peer support and motivation to embed Sensitive Inquiry into routine care. Post-training reflections also highlighted emerging team-based optimism, intentional practice, and awareness of IPV’s broader impact on patient care. Quantitative analysis included 12,335 eligible patients (mean age 36.7 years; 38.6% female). Females had significantly higher odds of IPV-related encounters than males (OR = 3.5; 95% CI = 2.9, 4.1). However, no statistically significant change in IPV detection rates was observed. CONCLUSIONS: While the training improved clinicians’ attitudes and readiness to address IPV, this did not translate into increased detection. Future studies should explore the implementation of the Sensitive Inquiry approach complemented with regular training sessions as part of multi-faceted intervention strategies.