How much training is enough? Evaluating clinician self-reported family violence response skills following a 3-year transformational change project in a major trauma hospital

Rates of family violence are high in many societies, with disproportionate impacts on women and children. Healthcare services have an important gateway role for victim-survivors requiring assistance. There is limited evidence regarding how much training is required for hospital clinicians to be adequately prepared to work effectively with clients experiencing family violence.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different levels of training in family violence, on the knowledge and confidence of hospital clinicians. A cross-sectional, online survey of hospital clinicians in a major trauma hospital was conducted. The study evaluated the impact of level of family violence training (no training, some training, clinical champions), on staff self-reported family violence knowledge and confidence levels. The Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinician Survey tool was utilised, and open for clinicians to complete, anonymously over a six-week period.

526 clinical staff participated across a range of profession groups (Allied Health, 47%; Nursing 40%; Medical 13%). Staff with some training (mean training hours 3.25, SD 5.23) rated their knowledge and confidence levels at least two-thirds higher than those with no training Those trained as clinical champions (mean training hours 14.60, SD 9.14), rated their knowledge and confidence at least 50 percent higher than staff with some training. An even more pronounced elevation across training levels was seen with specific family violence clinical skills – identifying the signs of family violence, knowing how to screen patients, and providing an appropriate response to disclosures.

Training in family violence clinical response significantly increased self-reported knowledge and confidence levels of hospital staff, with the extra time and resourcing required to train clinical champions, showing clear benefits. The provision of evidence-based and well-resourced family violence education for healthcare professionals is required to drive clinical practice improvements for victim-survivors.