The Role of the Physician When a Patient Discloses Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: A Literature Review

Assess for perpetration, victimization, or both present³¹

Assess for potential lethality and other potentially mandated reporting situations^{30,31,33–36,39}

Assess the impact of violence on health of perpetrator^30,31,37

Assess the Impact of violence on health of victim and children^{30,31,34,35,37}

Assess for readiness for change^31,35

Assess for co-morbidities that may impact care, such as substance abuse and mental illness^31,34,35,36

If providing care to both victim and perpetrator, consider possible risks and need to refer one to another provider^31,34,35,36

Provide meaningful information about the harmful impact of intimate partner violence and the need for stop the violence^{30,31,33–35,37–39}

Contact appropriate authorities and victim if safety is a concern^{30,31,35,36,39}

Refer to batterer intervention program or discuss with mental health specialist with expertise in intimate partner violence^{30,31,33–35,37–39}

Address comorbid substance abuse and mental health issues^31,33–36

Avoid couples therapy^{30,33,34,36–39}

Consider need for temporary separation^30,31 and other crisis-diffusing strategies^30,31,38

Provide motivational interviewing³⁵

Schedule regular follow-up^30,31,33,34