Physicians' Experiences with Male Patients Who Perpetrate Intimate Partner Violence

Brian Penti; Huong Tran; Joanne Timmons; Emily F. Rothman; Joanne Wilkinson

doi:10.3122/jabfm.2017.02.160258

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Table 1.

Summary of Themes Identified from Interviews with 15 Family Medicine Physicians About Their 32 Combined Experiences with Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence, October 2014–September 2015

Themes	Subthemes	Physician Respondents (n = 15)
How physicians learned of or identified IPV perpetration by men	•Victim disclosure (15 cases)	12
	• Perpetrator disclosure (6 cases)	6
	• Medical records (4 cases)	13
	• Observed behavior (2 cases)	2
	• Undetermined (5 cases)	2
How physicians assessed for comorbidities or responded to IPV perpetration by men	∙ No intervention per request of victim who disclosed ∙ Assess readiness and motivation to change ∙ Assess for substance abuse and mental health issues ∙ Assess for safety of victim ∙ Discuss coping strategies ∙ Refer to specialists, with wide variation ∙ Assess whether to support the couple staying together or separating	6
		5
		6
		7
		3
		11
		3
Perceived facilitators of and barriers to physician identification of and response to IPV perpetration by men	• Facilitators
	• Trusting relationship	3
	• Integrated behavioral health system	4
	• Barriers
	• Lack of training	13
	• Negative emotions toward perpetrator	8

IPV, intimate partner violence.

What are your thoughts about the role of a family medicine physician in screening for or discussing perpetration of IPV with male patients?
Suppose I was your patient and I disclosed to you that I had physically abused my partner on several occasions. What would happen next in our clinical visit?
How often have you treated a male patient who had been (or is currently) abusing his female partner? In the past year? In your lifetime?
- 3a. What circumstances led you to become aware that your patient was abusing their partner?
- 3b. What happens in these circumstances?
Have you had patients who you suspected were abusive to their partners but were sure? What did you do?
Have you also been the provider for the victim whom the male patient was abusing?
- 5a. If YES, how did you handle this situation?
- 5b. if NO, imagine you are placed in this situation. What would happen?
Have you been the provider for children of a male patient who abuses his partner?
- 6a. If YES, how did you handle this situation?
- 6b. If NO, imagine you are placed in this situation. What would happen?
Have you received training about what to do if you are treating a patient with a history of perpetrating IPV?
Are you aware of any community resources for men who abuse their partners?
How do you feel about having a male patient who has committed IPV? Or, how do you think you'd feel when working with a man who abuses his female partner?