Domestic Violence and Abuse Health Research Group, Centre for Academic Primary Care, Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Occup Med (Lond). 2024 Oct 1;74(7):514-522. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqae070.
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are expected to identify and respond to domestic abuse (DA) among their patients. Although research suggests that a high proportion of HCPs are affected by DA, the impact of their experiences has been under-researched.
To assess UK HCPs' experiences of DA and develop a broad understanding of its impact on work and HCPs' support needs.
An online cross-sectional survey was promoted via multiple professional channels (October to December 2022). We adopted convenience sampling and analysed data descriptively.
Among the 192 HCP survivors who responded, all abuse subtypes-psychological, sexual, economic and physical-were common. Ninety per cent of abusers were male (ex)partners. Eighty-five per cent reported abusers directly interfered with their work and 92% reported their work and career were affected. Almost all reported physical and mental health consequences. Eighty-nine per cent reported their own experiences shaped their responses to patient survivors. On average, per year, HCP survivors reported they had 13 sick days, 5 days' leave, 10 days' lateness and 6 days' early departure due to DA. Only 20% reported their workplace had a staff DA policy, and over 50% were unsure what workplace support mechanisms were available. Just over half disclosed at work; concerns that others would question their fitness to practice were common. Twenty-two per cent reported aspects of work, for example, long hours, stopped them from seeking support outside work.
HCPs face unique barriers to DA disclosure and support-seeking and may benefit from tailored support from specialists who understand both DA and the healthcare context.
医疗保健专业人员（HCPs）被期望识别和回应患者中的家庭暴力（DA）。尽管研究表明，很大比例的 HCPs 受到 DA 的影响，但他们的经历的影响尚未得到充分研究。
评估英国 HCPs 对 DA 的经历，并对其对工作的广泛影响和 HCPs 的支持需求有一个全面的了解。
通过多种专业渠道（2022 年 10 月至 12 月）推广在线横断面调查。我们采用便利抽样并进行描述性数据分析。
在 192 名回应的 HCP 幸存者中，所有类型的虐待-心理、性、经济和身体-都很常见。90%的施虐者是男性（前）伴侣。85%的人报告说施虐者直接干扰他们的工作，92%的人报告说他们的工作和职业受到影响。几乎所有人都报告了身心健康后果。89%的人报告说他们自己的经历影响了他们对患者幸存者的反应。平均而言，HCP 幸存者每年因 DA 请病假 13 天、休假 5 天、迟到 10 天和早退 6 天。只有 20%的人报告说他们的工作场所有员工 DA 政策，超过 50%的人不确定有哪些工作场所支持机制可用。只有略多于一半的人在工作中透露了这一情况；其他人会质疑他们是否适合行医的担忧很常见。22%的人报告说工作的某些方面，例如长时间工作，阻止他们在工作之外寻求支持。
HCPs 在 DA 披露和支持寻求方面面临独特的障碍，他们可能受益于专门的支持，这些支持来自于既了解 DA 又了解医疗保健背景的专家。
