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New Survey Presentation: Health Care Providers Have a Role in Preventing Domestic Violence
New Tulchin Research Presentation on Poll Results for Blue Shield of California Foundation: Californians See Domestic Violence As a Public Health Issue
Blue Shield of California Foundation and Tulchin Research recently presented to the press and the public on the results of our research on domestic violence prevention. The PowerPoint presentation comprehensively covers our findings about Californians’ attitudes toward domestic violence . Building upon a 2012 survey, the results show that individuals across the state recognize the important connection between health care and domestic violence.
Findings reveal that Californians overwhelmingly approve of measures to train doctors and nurses to effectively identify and respond to victims of abuse. They also support a new federal policy under the Affordable Care Act that will require healthcare providers to screen for domestic violence during women’s preventive health visits.
The poll surveyed 800 adults statewide during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October).
Highlights include:
- Among types of people most trusted to help with domestic abuse: domestic violence shelter workers (85 percent) and doctors (83 percent) are seen as most trustworthy.
- Three-quarters (75 percent) have never been asked by their healthcare provider about threats from their partner or spouse despite a strong majority of adults in California (60 percent) who report having a family doctor they would feel comfortable discussing personal domestic violence concerns with.
- 81 percent support a different approach for dealing with domestic violence, one in which practitioners screen patients for signs of abuse occurring in the home.
Historically, doctors and nurses have played a limited role in the intervention and prevention of domestic abuse, with the burden falling largely to law enforcement and domestic violence shelters. Check out the full survey results to see how this is beginning to change. You can also get more information and a recording of the webinar where we presented the results at the Blue Shield of California Foundation website.