Clinician perspectives on determinants for assessing and treating intimate partner violence-related traumatic brain injury: a mixed methods content analysis

INTRODUCTION Intimate partner violence (IPV)-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) is understudied and underrecognized. Missed opportunities for managing IPV-TBI in the clinical setting leave survivors at risk for repeated injury and reduced access to care for cognitive and psychosocial repercussions. The objective of this study was to describe clinician perspectives with screening and managing IPV-related TBI in the clinical setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinicians across the United States completed an online, cross-sectional survey regarding their perspectives on IPV-related TBI. Likert-scale questions were summarized, and open-text responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS Respondents (n = 60) were primarily physicians (38%) or nurses (42%) working in emergency (52%), trauma (52%), and rehabilitation (30%). Most (73%) agreed that IPV-related TBI was difficult to diagnose, reported no training/education on identification (63%) or treatment (67%), and were not aware of organizational (53%) or state/federal policies (48%). Content analysis revealed challenges, facilitators, and recommendations with the following higher order themes: 'Education and Training,' 'Clinical Practice,' and 'Policy.'

DISCUSSION Standardizing education and training across clinical disciplines and specialties may improve routine screening for IPV-related TBI, resulting in improved access to care pathways and enhanced treatment approaches.