An Integrated Care Model for Women Experiencing Violence: Observational Study of La Maison des Femmes in Saint-Denis, France
Name: Temitope Akinade
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2025, Varmus Global Scholar 2022
Mentor: Jocelyn Brown, MD, MPH and Ghada Hatem
Name: Sofia Ali
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2025, Varmus Global Scholar 2022
Mentor: Jocelyn Brown, MD, MPH
Abstract
Violence against women (VAW) is "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women”.1 It includes intimate partner violence (IPV), non- partner sexual violence (NPSV), and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), among others.2 VAW is a major global health issue – IPV and NPSV affect one-third of women worldwide.3 Some research has shown the benefits of integrated care models (“one-stop-shops”) that serve women experiencing violence.4,5 However, most research on best practices focuses on only one form of violence6,7 or lacks patient perspectives on quality of care.8 La Maison des Femmes (MDF) in Seine-Saint-Denis, France is an organization that provides multidisciplinary care to women experiencing different forms of violence.9 This study aims to understand staff and women’s perceptions of care at MDF by conducting interviews with staff and patients. Staff were recruited via email invitation, and women were approached in the MDF waiting area. All participants completed demographic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews about the care experience at MDF.A total of 7 staff and 20 patient interviews were conducted. The interviews will be transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Our preliminary analysis showed that staff enjoyed the interprofessional environment but struggled with long-term patient follow-up. Women valued the multidisciplinary services and woman-centered environment but experienced delays to their initial appointment. This study will provide patient and staff perspectives on best practices for integrated care models serving women experiencing violence, informing improvements at MDF and the development of other multidisciplinary centers.
References:
1. United Nations. Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.; 1993.
2. World Health Organization. Global and Regional Estimates of Violence Against Women: Prevalence andHealth Effects of Intimate Partner Violence and Non-Partner Sexual Violence. Geneva; 2013.
3. World Health Organization. Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, 2018. Geneva; 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256.
4. Ades V, Wu SX, Rabinowitz E, et al. An Integrated, Trauma-Informed Care Model for Female Survivors of Sexual Violence: The Engage, Motivate, Protect, Organize, Self-Worth, Educate, Respect (EMPOWER) Clinic. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;133(4):803-809. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003186
5. Eogan M, McHugh A, Holohan M. The role of the sexual assault centre. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2013;27(1):47-58. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2012.08.010
6. Lechner M, Bell K, Short NA, et al. Perceived Care Quality Among Women Receiving Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Care: Results From a 1-Week Postexamination Survey in a Large Multisite Prospective Study. J Emerg Nurs. 2021;47(3):449-458. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2020.11.011
7. Henninger AL, Iwasaki M, Carlucci ME, Lating JM. Reporting Sexual Assault: Survivors’ Satisfaction With Sexual Assault Response Personnel. Violence Against Women. 2020;26(11):1362-1382. doi:10.1177/1077801219857831
8. World Health Organization. Responding to Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence against Women, WHO Clinical and Policy Guidelines. Geneva; 2013.
9. La Maison des Femmes. Qui Sommes-Nous. https://www.lamaisondesfemmes.fr/je-decouvre-lmdf/qui-sommes-nous/. Published 2022.