Obstetrician/gynecologists' readiness to manage intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health concern that affects women of all backgrounds and cultures. Universal and routine screening for IPV is largely recommended by the medical community. Obstetrician-gynecologists (ob/gyns) serve a vital role in women's healthcare and have a unique opportunity to identify and intervene on behalf of abused patients. This study aimed to provide a more current assessment of ob/gyns' screening patterns as well as physician and patient predictors of screening.;Four hundred members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were mailed a physician questionnaire and 25 patient questionnaires. Of all physicians contacted, 48.5% responded. The viable patient response rate was 31.4%. Only 20.2% of ob/gyns reported that they routinely screen all patients for IPV. Patient race/ethnicity and number of previous doctor visits in the past year were significantly associated with the odds of not being screened for IPV. Non-White patients were significantly more likely to be screened for IPV than White patients. First time patients were significantly more likely to be screened for IPV than patients for whom this was not their first doctor's visit. Physician perceived preparation moderated the effect of number of previous doctor visits on the odds of not being screened for IPV. It appears that a greater emphasis on the importance of routine IPV screening during medical school and residency could significantly improve routine IPV screening rates among physicians.