Why Do Healthcare Providers Avoid the
"Elephant under the Carpet?"

by Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D.

In talking with hundreds of healthcare professionals, I'm aware that the reason many providers don't assess for intimate partner violence is because they prefer not to. Why?

My sense is they don't care to do so because:

1) Like any of us, many have their own issues around domestic abuse.

2) ...And far too often, limited time to deal with opening a patients Pandora's box when it comes to intimate partner violence.

3) Many providers don't want to see the messy "elephant under the carpet" much less be responsible for its possible disasters, even though it's not their job to fix it.

While these may be some common reasons healthcare providers don't assess for intimate partner violence, this doesn't invalidate the fact they are essentially responsible to do so.

Sadly, the public looks to healthcare providers to protect them from conditions that pose a threat to their health and safety.even those who don't know the actual laws which require their providers to do so. Intuitively, they come to expect this by their mere yielding to their provider for care in need.

If you are a healthcare provider who truly wishes to assess for intimate partner violence, then you are a blessing to the estimated one in four women in your care that are victims of spousal abuse.

You could be this first person who acknowledges to her troubles. You may be the first person who serves to say no more silencing what could one day kill you. You may be the first person who says you don't deserve to be battered. You could be the first person that says no one deserves to be abused. You may very well help inspire the ushering of this patient from the entrapment of domestic violence to a life of wholeness health, safety and peace.

Now ask yourself, do you want to be a part of that? If so, you will be the healthcare provider that says NO to domestic abuse. And your doing so will model the same for all those you serve.

For information on how you can easily, comfortable and accurately assess for intimate partner violence, visit Intimate Partner Abuse Screen®. Dr. Jeanne King, psychologist, author and domestic abuse consulting expert, helps people recognize, end and heal from domestic abuse.

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© Copyright 2009 Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D. www.PreventAbusiveRelationships.com