JAMA: 2006-08-02, Vol. 296, No. 5, Author in the Room Audio Interview

Interview with Harriet L. MacMillan, MD, MSc, FRCP(C), author of Approaches to Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in Health Care Settings: A Randomized Trial, published in the August 8 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. Summary Points: 1. Even though we have long assumed that clinicians should ask patients directly about intimate partner violence, this study shows that self-complete methods for soliciting such information are preferred by women, and may be more efficient. 2. The prevalence rate for intimate partner violence differs by setting and population and varies significantly from approximately 4% to approximately 18%. 3. While this study provides evidence on the best methods to solicit information on intimate partner violence, it doesn't tell us if collecting this information improves outcomes for women exposed to such violence. A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of screening women for intimate partner violence in health care settings is currently underway.