2023-11-24 10:11:40
In 2022 and 2023, only 14% of women report having been questioned by their general practitioner regarding their relationship with their partner and 3% directly questioned regarding possible domestic violence (3%), despite recommendations to this effect from the High Authority health (HAS) in 2029. These figures are presented by the Authority on the occasion of the international day once morest violence once morest women, in order to encourage primary care professionals “to fully grasp the subject” . Communicated.
In its recommendation “Recognition of women victims of violence within the couple” published in 2019, the High Authority for Health (HAS) recommends that primary healthcare professionals ask all their patients if they are experiencing or have experienced violence by the past, even in the absence of warning signs. The challenge is to make it easier for victims to speak by normalizing the subject, in order to ensure earlier treatment. On the occasion of the international day once morest violence once morest women, Saturday November 25, the institution carried out a study to monitor the appropriation of this recommendation by general practitioners. The results underline that patients are very favorable to this systematic questioning, which remains too little implemented today.
A difficult subject to tackle
On average in France, it is estimated that 3 to 4 women out of 10 might be victims of domestic violence among the patients of a general practitioner. Most often, these women do not spontaneously address the violence they experience. The physical and psychological consequences of this violence are then poorly addressed.
This is why HAS encourages primary care professionals to let their patients know that they are a listening partner. But broaching the subject is delicate and this recommendation struggles to enter into their daily practices. There are many obstacles: lack of awareness of the extent of the problem or the phenomenon of control, feeling of helplessness and discouragement, fear of damaging the relationship with the patient, etc.
Questioning that is very well received by patients but little applied
To monitor the evolution of the practices of general practitioners, the HAS has set up a barometer in conjunction with the BVA institute: nearly 1,000 women were interviewed in October 2022 and October 2023 to find out if the subject had been discussed in consultation by their doctor.
The first two measurements of this barometer highlight a stagnation of practices. In 2022 as in 2023, few women say they have been asked by their general practitioner regarding their relationship with their partner (14%), and even fewer say they have been directly questioned regarding possible domestic violence (3%). Among the respondents, one in five women nevertheless report suffering or having suffered violence (physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, etc.) from their partner.
Contrary to the fears of certain professionals, 96% of the women questioned consider that systematic questioning by the doctor is a good thing (48% a very good thing, 48% rather a good thing). Questioned on a battery of items, 9 out of 10 women even believe that addressing this subject in consultation is important, legitimate and reassuring.
Tools to support professionals
In view of these results, HAS reaffirms its commitment alongside health professionals and women in the fight once morest domestic violence. To this end, it makes several documents and tools available to professionals in order to facilitate this dialogue. In addition to the associated recommendations and practical sheets, HAS has designed a tool to help identify domestic violence that is particularly appreciated for its short format and practical orientation. This tool answers the main questions that professionals may ask: why screen, how to screen and what to do in the event of violence.
HAS also offers two video formats:
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