PHILADELPHIA, May 24 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say the use of an inexpensive, computer-based questionnaire would help victims of domestic violence be identified by hospital staff.
Domestic violence victims frequently seek care in hospital emergency departments but the abuse is rarely identified. Experts attribute that to clinicians who are reluctant to discuss such a sensitive topic, combined with time constraints faced by the staff.
But a study indicates the use of a simple and inexpensive computer-based questionnaire increases the odds of identifying domestic violence victims during hospital encounters.
"Victims of domestic violence are often eager and willing to talk about the issue with a healthcare provider, but are reluctant to bring it up first," said Dr. Karin Rhodes, an emergency medicine physician at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and lead author of the study. That problem might be resolved by use of such a computer program, she said.
The research is detailed in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
