Massachusetts Medical Society releases newest version of clinician's guide to intimate partner violence

The Massachusetts Medical Society has announced the release of an expanded sixth edition of Intimate Partner Violence, The Clinician’s Guide to Identification, Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention, a free resource for health professionals to improve their ability to identify and respond to patients who have experienced or may be at risk of intimate partner violence (also known as domestic violence).

Produced by the Society’s Committee on Violence Intervention and Prevention and peer-reviewed by experts in violence and abuse, the guidebook has become an authoritative resource widely used by health care providers and advocates nationally and internationally.

This latest edition represents a major revision of the guidebook, first published in 1992, and is intended to provide comprehensive, healthcare-focused guidance about intimate partner violence identification, response, and prevention in a compact and efficient format.

Guidebook author and founding chair of the committee Elaine J. Alpert, M.D., M.P.H. believes medical professionals can play a vital role in reducing domestic violence.

“Because physicians and other health care providers are often the first and sometimes the only trusted professionals survivors of abuse and violence may encounter,” Dr. Alpert said, “they can play a crucial role in breaking the cycle of violence and working toward both safety and prevention.”

“Critical input and insight from medical and advocacy colleagues both within and outside of Massachusetts,” Dr. Alpert added, “has made this edition one that I think will advance medical practice and ultimately help our patients achieve the health, safety and security they deserve.”

The latest edition now has 80 pages, up from its original 38, with the online edition including active web links to respected local, state, and national resources. Among the updates are:
• Expanded target audience beyond physicians and medical students to include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, midwives, and other clinical providers
• Easy adaptation and customization for use in other states as well as internationally
• Content organization to allow attainment and compliance with Massachusetts legislation requiring continuing medical education by health professionals
• Discussion of the Affordable Care Act and its provisions regarding partner violence assessment
• Expanded sections about the impact of adverse childhood experiences on brain development and adult health

Intimate Partner Violence, The Clinician’s Guide to Identification, Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention is available free online from the Massachusetts Medical Society under the Partner Violence Resources section at www.massmed.org/violence.

Additional free materials on violence, including a series of 10 brochures for parents discussing such topics as bullying, street violence, media violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and gun injury are also available from the Massachusetts Medical Society at www.massmed.org/violence.