Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectives
Abstract Background There is increasing recognition that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue (1). In Australia, one in 6 women and one in 17 men experience IPV (2, 3). Musculoskeletal injuries are the second most common pathology suffered due to IPV, and previous studies...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05616-3 |
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| author | Ariella Smith Naomi Pinto Brett Dyer David Graham Brahman Sivakumar |
| author_facet | Ariella Smith Naomi Pinto Brett Dyer David Graham Brahman Sivakumar |
| author_sort | Ariella Smith |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is increasing recognition that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue (1). In Australia, one in 6 women and one in 17 men experience IPV (2, 3). Musculoskeletal injuries are the second most common pathology suffered due to IPV, and previous studies have reported that as many as 1 in 50 patients present to orthopaedic outpatient clinics as a direct result of IPV (4, 5). Thus, this setting provides a unique opportunity to recognise patients at risk and facilitate intervention. Aim To investigate the perceptions and experiences of Australian orthopaedic clinicians regarding IPV injuries in outpatient clinics, and to identify barriers that prevent the detection of IPV in this setting. Methods Orthopaedic surgeons and registrars were surveyed using a secure online platform distributed via the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) from December 2023 to February 2024. Responses were analysed using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests with a 5% significance threshold. Results Responses were provided by 101 fellowship trained surgeons or orthopaedic registrars. 92% either ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ that IPV is a significant public health issue. Clinicians treated a mean of 5 patients per year (range 0–30) with reported IPV injuries, accounting for 0.4% (range 0-5.8%) of outpatient clinic presentations. Patients with IPV related injuries presented more frequently to public clinics than private rooms (p = 0.04). The most common perceived barriers to identifying and managing IPV are partners attending with patients (n = 84), time constraints (n = 75), lack of privacy (n = 58), and lack of social supports in clinic (n = 57). Conclusion Despite its prevalence in the wider community, few IPV-related injuries are identified or reported in Australian orthopaedic outpatient clinics, and many barriers exist. Understanding experiences and perceptions of this issue is key to improving our ability to provide care for this vulnerable population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4cba27cd5ec040ebad94ff2c0d150c93 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1749-799X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-4cba27cd5ec040ebad94ff2c0d150c932025-08-20T04:03:01ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-04-012011710.1186/s13018-025-05616-3Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectivesAriella Smith0Naomi Pinto1Brett Dyer2David Graham3Brahman Sivakumar4Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Canberra HospitalGriffith Biostatistics Unit, Griffith Health, Griffith UniversityDepartment of Musculoskeletal Services, Gold Coast University HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai HospitalAbstract Background There is increasing recognition that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue (1). In Australia, one in 6 women and one in 17 men experience IPV (2, 3). Musculoskeletal injuries are the second most common pathology suffered due to IPV, and previous studies have reported that as many as 1 in 50 patients present to orthopaedic outpatient clinics as a direct result of IPV (4, 5). Thus, this setting provides a unique opportunity to recognise patients at risk and facilitate intervention. Aim To investigate the perceptions and experiences of Australian orthopaedic clinicians regarding IPV injuries in outpatient clinics, and to identify barriers that prevent the detection of IPV in this setting. Methods Orthopaedic surgeons and registrars were surveyed using a secure online platform distributed via the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) from December 2023 to February 2024. Responses were analysed using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests with a 5% significance threshold. Results Responses were provided by 101 fellowship trained surgeons or orthopaedic registrars. 92% either ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ that IPV is a significant public health issue. Clinicians treated a mean of 5 patients per year (range 0–30) with reported IPV injuries, accounting for 0.4% (range 0-5.8%) of outpatient clinic presentations. Patients with IPV related injuries presented more frequently to public clinics than private rooms (p = 0.04). The most common perceived barriers to identifying and managing IPV are partners attending with patients (n = 84), time constraints (n = 75), lack of privacy (n = 58), and lack of social supports in clinic (n = 57). Conclusion Despite its prevalence in the wider community, few IPV-related injuries are identified or reported in Australian orthopaedic outpatient clinics, and many barriers exist. Understanding experiences and perceptions of this issue is key to improving our ability to provide care for this vulnerable population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05616-3 |
| spellingShingle | Ariella Smith Naomi Pinto Brett Dyer David Graham Brahman Sivakumar Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectives Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research |
| title | Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectives |
| title_full | Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectives |
| title_short | Intimate partner violence injuries in Australian orthopaedic clinics: a survey of clinician perspectives |
| title_sort | intimate partner violence injuries in australian orthopaedic clinics a survey of clinician perspectives |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05616-3 |
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