RCHC Community Project Abstracts

Back to subject search page or search by preceptor site Abuse in Pregnancy Project Date: 1/3/2005 Domestic abuse is a very serious and prevalent issue inthe United States (US). The prevalence of domestic violence is approximately 9.7-29.7%. It is estimated that 3.9- 8.3% women will be abused during pregnancy. In Columbia County, the prevalence of domestic abuse presumably follows national trends. Columbia County Women's Resource Center reports taht 25% of the women who use their crisis hotline and safety shelter are pregnant. Scappoose family clinic has a prenatal packet that is given to all new OB patients but does not include a domestic violence educational brochure. The importance of educating women on the consequences of domestic abuse for themselves and their child is essential to their well-being. Addditionally, providing resources for women who are victims of abuse may save their lives. The development of an educational brochure to give in an existing prenatal package will provide a tool for education and contacts for local resources. Intimate Partner Violence Resources in Benton County: Needs Assessment and Development of Patient Education and Physician Intervention Tools Project Date: 1/5/2004 With a lifetime prevalence of one in ten, intimate partner violence (IPV) is the number one health threat to women in the United States today. This study explored the resources available to abused women in Benton County and sought to optimize physician IPV intervention at the Philomath and Corvallis Family Medicine clinics by developing a reference tool for recognition, screening, management, and referrals. The design included interviews and observations of physicians, nursing staff, and patient advocates, interviews and tours of community resources, telephone interviews with the district attorney, county sheriff’s office, and Benton County Health Department, and research on visibility of community resources via phone book, patient outreach materials, and online sources. As patients were not universally screened for IPV, a patient education poster with crisis line numbers was designed for use in all exam rooms. Further, physicians indicated a need for a concise reference guide for IPV screening and intervention in Benton County. Thorough review of online and community resources revealed no such tool; thus, this project culminated in the development of a laminated exam-room card listing Benton County IPV impact and statistics, effective screening techniques, management of disclosed abuse, mandatory reporting, legal rights of IPV victims, and further resources for physicians. Finally, a Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence presentation was organized to further physician education regarding effective IPV screening, intervention, and community resources. By implementing IPV patient outreach and physician intervention tools for practical use, I sought to streamline the coordination of care between community resources, physicians, and their patients. Screening for Maternal Domestic Violence at the Klamath Pediatric Clinic Project Date: 7/7/2003 Maternal domestic violence has been correlated to physical, emotional, psychosocial and behavioral problems and/or delays in children. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of maternal domestic violence in the Klamath Pediatric Clinic (KPC) patient population using a five question survey. An additional aim of the study was to educate the staff on how to screen for domestic violence and how to refer patients to the local social service resources. Of the 120 surveys completed 17.5 percent of the respondents reported a history of abuse. One woman had been hurt within the last year. Four percent of the respondent's partners had ever threatened to hurt her child(ren) and two and five tenths percent reported a history of child abuse. One woman reported being afraid of her current partner. The results of the survey were presented to the medical staff at a lunchtime meeting. Representatives of local child abuse and domestic violence resource centers also presented information at the meeting on how to refer patients who screen positive for domestic violence. After the meeting the clinic's medical staff expressed more confidence in the feasibility of screening for domestic violence and in their ability to properly refer abused mothers and children to local resources. In conclusion, it is recommended that the medical staff of KPC begin routinely screening for domestic violence and intervene when necessary. Back to subject search page or search by preceptor site