Screening for Childhood Trauma in Adult Primary Care Patients
- 4 November 2010
- journal article
- Published by Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc in The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders
- Vol. 12 (6)
- https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.10m00950blu
Abstract
Compared to screening for partner violence, screening for childhood physical and sexual abuse among adult patients has received little attention, despite associated adverse health consequences. The objective of this exploratory study was to describe the practices, skills, attitudes, and perceived barriers of a large sample of family physicians in screening adult patients for childhood sexual or physical abuse. Surveys were mailed to the 833 members of the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians in 2007 eliciting information about screening practices. Factors associated with routine or targeted screening among adult primary care patients were evaluated. Less than one-third of providers reported usually or always screening for childhood trauma and correctly estimated childhood abuse prevalence rates; 25% of providers reported that they rarely or never screen patients. Confidence in screening, perceived role, and knowledge of trauma prevalence were associated with routine and targeted screening. Women and physicians reporting fewer barriers were more likely to routinely screen adult patients. Despite the 20%-50% prevalence of child abuse exposure among adult primary care patients, screening for childhood abuse is not routine practice for most physicians surveyed; a large subgroup of physicians never screen patients. Study findings draw attention to a largely unexplored experience associated with considerable health care costs and morbidity. Results highlight the need to develop training programs about when to suspect trauma histories and how to approach adult patients.Keywords
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- Prevalence and demographic correlates of childhood maltreatment in an adult community sampleChild Abuse & Neglect, 2004
- Is a history of trauma associated with a reduced likelihood of cervical cancer screening?2002
- Childhood Abuse and Later Medical Disorders in WomenPsychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2002
- Women who experience domestic violence and women survivors of childhood sexual abuse: a survey of health professionals' attitudes and clinical practice.2001
- Prevalence of violence and its implications for women’s healthWomen's Health Issues, 2001
- The relationship between trauma, PTSD, and medical utilization in three high risk medical populations.The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 2000
- Screening and Intervention for Intimate Partner AbuseJAMA, 1999
- Surviving survivors. Coping with caring for patients who have been victimized.1993
- Inquiry about victimization experiences. A survey of patient preferences and physician practicesArchives of Internal Medicine, 1992
- Health Risk Behaviors and Medical Sequelae of Childhood Sexual AbuseMayo Clinic Proceedings, 1992