Hospital Dissemination of Information Resources on Intimate Partner Violence: Statewide Analysis of Texas Emergency Room Staff

Abstract

The U.S. health care costs of Intimate partner violence (IPV) account for over $4 million each year, although only 600,000 of the 5 million estimated female IPV survivors seek medical treatment for their injuries. IPV survivors face a range of physical and mental health consequences while emergency department staff face difficult challenges providing information in situations fraught with tensions. This study is the first statewide examination of IPV information dissemination by hospital emergency staff. Analysis of the types, utility, and formats of IPV information, augmented by emergency staff suggestions, suggest that hospital librarians could play an important role in the support of both staff and patients.

KEYWORDS:

• consumer health information
• hospital emergency departments
• hospital librarians
• information services
• intimate partner violence
• spouse abuse