Exploring primary care responses to domestic violence and abuse (DVA): operationalisation of a national initiative

McGarry, Julie; Hussain, Basharat; Watts, Kim

Abstract

Purpose

In the UK, the Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) initiative has been developed for use within primary care to support women survivors of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). However, while evaluated nationally, less is known regarding impact of implementation at a local level. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of IRIS within one locality in the UK.

Design

A qualitative study using interviews/focus groups with primary care teams and women who had experienced DVA in one primary care setting in the UK.

Methods

Interviews with eighteen participants from five professional categories; including General Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Practice Managers, Assistant Practice Managers and Practice Receptionists. Focus group discussion/interview with seven women who had accessed IRIS. Data collection between November 2016 and March 2017.

Findings

Five main themes were identified for professionals: Team role approach to training; Professional confidence; Clear pathway for referral and support; Focused support; Somewhere to meet that is a ‘safe haven’. For women the following themes were identified: Longevity of DVA; Lifeline; Face to face talking to someone; Support and understood where I was coming from; A place of safety.
Implications for practice: IRIS played a significant role in helping primary care professionals to respond effectively. For women IRIS was more proactive and holistic than traditional approaches to DVA.

Originality

This study was designed to assess the impact that a local level implementation of the national IRIS initiative had on both providers and users of the service simultaneously. The study identifies that a ‘whole team approach’ in the primary care setting is critical to the effectiveness of DVA initiatives.

Citation

McGarry, J., Hussain, B., & Watts, K. (2019). Exploring primary care responses to domestic violence and abuse (DVA): operationalisation of a national initiative. Journal of Adult Protection, 21(2), 144-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/jap-10-2018-0025

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 16, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 28, 2019
• Publication Date: Mar 28, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jan 17, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 17, 2019
• Journal: The Journal of Adult Protection
• Print ISSN: 1466-8203
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 144-154
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jap-10-2018-0025
• Keywords: Sociology and Political Science; Law
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1479205
• Publisher URL: https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/JAP-10-2018-0025?af=R