Talking matters: abused women's views on disclosure of partner abuse to the family doctor and its role in handling the abuse situation

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore what women valued most in disclosing partner abuse to their doctor and whether disclosure played a role in handling their abuse situation. METHODS: A qualitative method was used to understand abused women's views and experiences with disclosure to their family doctor. Thirty-six women were interviewed within 4 weeks after disclosure to their family doctor. RESULTS: Most women went to see the doctor for some medical complaint, and only three women planned to disclose the abuse. Twenty-five women valued most their doctor's communicative approach with empathy or empowering and nine women valued most the instrumental approach. Eight women of the latter group wanted this combined with a communicative approach. After disclosure to the family doctor, a group of women (n=20) perceived a real change in their possibilities to handle their situation. They appeared to be in a position we named: 'in transition', a state in which they started or continued a process of change. Another group of women (n=13) appeared to be in a 'locked-up' position, a state without any prospect on change, feeling out of control and fearing the abuser. Three women reacted reserved towards change. CONCLUSION: A communicative approach, providing empathy and empowerment, is important to women in disclosing partner abuse. More than half of the women perceived possibilities for a change. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Talking about abuse is an important step in a woman's process of change. Doctors should acknowledge the advantage of their position as a professional confidant and ask women about abuse.