Revisiting Australian psychiatrists’ and psychiatric trainees’ knowledge, attitudes and preparedness in responding to adults experiencing domestic violence
Grace Burrett, Soumitra Das, Kelsey Hegarty, Manjula O’ConnorObjective
To examine family violence (FV) training, preparedness, knowledge, and comfort among Australian psychiatrists and psychiatric trainees, and compare findings with a 2016 national survey.
Methods
An anonymous online survey was distributed via email to members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Measures included a shortened PREMIS assessing knowledge and preparedness, and an open-ended question on barriers to managing FV. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and chi-square tests. Open-ended responses were analysed using conventional content analysis.
Results
Of respondents completing the survey (232), 20.3% had received less than 1 hour of FV training. Preparedness and knowledge remained in the moderate range and were slightly lower than in 2016. Greater FV training was associated with higher preparedness, knowledge, and comfort; more years in practice with higher preparedness and knowledge. Only 24.6% reported routinely enquiring about FV with all new patients, compared with 44.0% in 2016. Common barriers were limited knowledge and skills, uncertainty about referral pathways, time pressures, and inadequate resources.
Conclusions
Little improvement was evident over time. Greater FV-specific training was consistently associated with better outcomes, supporting structured and sustained FV education in psychiatric training and practice.