Training and experience of psychiatric residents in identifying domestic violence.

Overview

Of 221 psychiatric residents at four U.S. medical schools, 145 responded to a survey about their training and clinical experience in recognizing domestic violence and providing referrals and treatment. Only 28 percent reported receiving training in this area. Almost half reported that they asked about domestic violence in less than a quarter of their cases involving female patients. Fifty-nine percent of respondents did so "only when a problem was suspected." Eighty-seven percent had seen at least one case of domestic violence in the previous year. Those with training in recognizing domestic violence identified significantly more cases. Sixty-five percent of all residents surveyed were unable to list a local agency for referral.