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RADAR
A simple method for remembering the basics
of the Guidelines is to use the RADAR method of inquiry and
assessment for IPV/DV. RADAR is a mnemonic: R=Routinely screen
female patients; A=Ask direct questions; D=Document your findings;
A=Assess patient safety; R=Review options and referrals.
Figure 1.
RADAR Intervention Method
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R = Routinely
Screen Female Patients
Although many women who are victims of IPV/DV will
not volunteer any information, they will discuss it
if asked simple, direct questions in a nonjudgmental
way and in a confidential setting. Interview the patient
alone.
A =
Ask Direct Questions
- "Because violence is so common in many women's
lives, I've begun to ask about it routinely."
- "Are you in a relationship in which you have been
physically hurt or threatened?" If no, "Have you even
been?"
- "Have you ever been hit, kicked or punched by your
partner?"
- "Do you feel safe at home?"
- "I notice you have a number of bruises; did someone
do this to you?"
- If the patient answers "yes": Encourage
her to talk about it: "Would you like to talk about
what has happened to you?" "How do you feel about
it?" "What would you like to do about this?"
Listen nonjudgmentally. This serves both to begin
the healing process for the woman and to give you
an idea of what kind of referrals she may need. Often
a battered woman believes her abuser's negative messages
about her. She may feel responsible, ashamed, inadequate
and afraid she will be judged by you.
- Validate her experience. Make sure she knows
she is not alone. Millions of women of every age,
race, and religion face abuse, and many women find
it extremely difficult to deal with the violence.
Emphasize that when she wants help, it is available.
Let her know that domestic violence tends to get worse
and become more frequent with time and that it rarely
goes away on its own. "You are not alone." "You do
not deserve to be treated this way." "Help is available
to you."
Tell her the abuse is not her fault. Explain
that physical violence in a relationship is never
acceptable. There's no excuse for it - not alcohol
or drugs, financial pressure, depression, jealousy
or any behavior of hers. "No one has to live with
violence." "You are not to blame." "What happened
to you is a crime."
- If the patient answers "no", or will not discuss
the topic: Be aware for any clinical signs that may
indicate abuse: injury to the head, neck, torso, breasts,
abdomen or genitals; bilateral or multiple injuries;
delay between onset of injury and seeking treatment;
explanation by the patient which is inconsistent with
the type of injury; any injury during pregnancy, especially
to abdomen or breasts; prior history of trauma; chronic
pain symptoms for which no etiology is apparent; psychological
distress such as depression, suicidal idealation,
anxiety and/or sleep disorders; a partner who seems
overly protective or who will not leave the woman's
side.
If any one of these clinical signs are present, ask
more specific questions. Make sure she is alone. "It
looks as though someone may have hurt you. Can you
tell me how it happened?" "Sometimes when people feel
the way you do, it may be because they are being hurt
at home. Is this happening to you?"
D = Document
Your Findings
Record a description of the abuse as she has described
it to you. Use statements such as "the patient states
she was . . . "If she give the specific name of the
assailant, sue it in your record. "She says her boyfriend
John Smith struck her . . ." Record all pertinent physical
findings. Use a body map to supplement the written record.
Offer to photograph injuries. When serious injury or
sexual abuse is detected, preserve all physical evidence.
Document an opinion if the injures were inconsistent
with the patient's explanation.
A = Assess
Patient Safety
Before she leaves the medical setting, find out if
she is afraid to go home. Has there been an increase
in frequency or severity of violence? Have there been
threats of homicide or suicide? Have there been threats
to her children? Is there a gun present?
R = Review
Options and Referrals
If the patient is in imminent danger, find out if there
is someone with whom she can stay. Does she need immediate
access to a shelter? Offer her the opportunity of a
private phone to make a call. If she does not need immediate
assistance, offer information about hotlines and resources
in the community. (Resources for Domestic Violence in
Florida can be found in the "Resource" section near
the end of this course).
Remember that it may be dangerous for the woman to
have these in her possession. Do not insist that she
take them. Make a follow-up appointment to see her or
some other method of checking in.
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Other researchers and clinicians
have developed additional methods for intervening in IPV/DV.
Figure 2. addresses the immediate response of nurses, physicians
and social workers to disclosure of IPV/DV.
Physicians, nurses, social
workers immediate response at disclosure:
- Believe patient and tell patient the behavior reported
is abuse.
- Assure patient violence is the fault of perpetrator and
not the victim.
- Assure patient that there are options and offer referral
to IPV/DV Program Social Worker or other appropriate resource
(see Resource section near the end of this course).
- Give patient hotline numbers: National (1-800-799-SAFE)
and local Florida Domestic Violence
Hotline at 1-800-500-1119.
Figure 2. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Clinical Pathway: Treatment after Disclosure (initial visit
only) (Dienemann, et. al., 2003)
Activity
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Clinician
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Initial Visit
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Physical Assessment and Treatment
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Physician and nurse
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-
Assess trauma.
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Document with body map/photos and
description.
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Refer or treat as appropriate.
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Report to police if gunshot or
knife wound or according to State law.
Note: In Florida, state law requires
the reporting of gunshot and knife wounds.
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Physical Assessment and Treatment
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Physician and nurse
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-
Ask about forced or undesired sex.
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If NO: document only. If YES and
not IPV/DV RAPE: examine for injuries, treat, refer,
document. Discuss contraceptive options, prevent
pregnancy and STDs.
If YES and IPV/DV RAPE (within last 72 hours do
pelvic exam, evidence collection); examine for injuries,
treat, refer, document. OFFER pregnancy test and
STD/HIV test.
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Physical Assessment and Treatment
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Physician and nurse
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-
Assess site, type, severity, and
duration.
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If NO: document only.
If YES: assess pain in relation to violence history
and its possible influence on sign/symptoms/illnesses,
especially: Neurological, GI/Abdominal, GYN, Chronic
stress, Other. Document, refer and/or treat.
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Psychiatric/Mental Health Assessment
and Treatment
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Physician and nurse
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-
Screen for current substance abuse
problems of patient and abuser.
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If NO: document. If YES: inform
of treatment options and refer if interested at
this time. Document.
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Reinforce that this is a separate
health problem from IPV/DV although it may be exacerbated
by or exacerbate IPV/DV.
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Psychiatric/Mental Health Assessment
and Treatment
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Physician and nurse
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-
Assess symptoms of depression,
severity and duration and relationship to IPV/DV
history.
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Assess client's need for medication.
If appropriate, prescribe psychotropic medication
and/or refer for psychiatric services or counseling.
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Using danger assessment guidelines
assess for: suicide/homicide potential or attempts.
If YES, refer for psychiatric consult. Document.
Review legal protections available for homicide
prevention.
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Psychiatric/Mental Health Assessment
and Treatment
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Physician and nurse
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Assess sleep, startle, anxiety,
re-experiencing of trauma (flashback), numbing.
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If YES, refer for psychiatric consult.
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Social Assessment and Treatment |
Social Worker or IPV/DV Advocate/Nurse |
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IPV counselor meets with patient.
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Assess trauma history.
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Social Assessment and Treatment
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Social Worker or IPV/DV Advocate/Nurse
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Marital status with abuser: married,
separated, divorced, widow, single.
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Living with abuser: yes, no, sometimes.
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Harassment and/or stalking by abuser?
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Children: number and ages. Custody?
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Health insurance: none, abuser's
policy, personal policy.
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Social Assessment and Treatment
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Social Worker or IPV/DV Advocate/Nurse
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During woman's treatment/hospitalization:
children living with patient? Where are they now?
How can their safety and care be assured? How support
mother's custody?
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Child trauma: ask if children demonstrating
signs of trauma from observing violence (i.e., sleep
problems, nightmares, aggressiveness or withdrawal,
school problems). Refer if indicated.
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Social Assessment and Treatment
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Social Worker or IPV Advocate/Nurse
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Use Danger Assessment guidelines
to assess IPV severity and extent of danger (A Danger
Assessment can be accessed in the Appendices of
the Guidelines-see Resource section of this course).
Express concern for safety.
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Explain police services. Ask if
victim desires for provider to call police.
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Explain court ex parte/protection
orders and victim's services and legal assistance
options. Give resource sheet.
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Explain mandatory legal reporting
of child abuse. Inquire if children have been abused
and refer if indicated.
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Social Assessment and Treatment
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Social Worker or IPV Advocate/Nurse
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Use guidelines to assess safety
behaviors and plans for future.
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Dienemann, J., Campbell,
J., Wiederhorn, N., Laughon, K.L., Jordan, E. (2003). A
critical pathway for Intimate Partner Violence across the
continuum of care. JOGNN, 32, 5, 594-603. Used by permission:
Jacqueline Dienemann, Visiting Professor, University of
North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Adult Health
Nursing, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223;
E-mail: jadienem@uncc.edu
or jpdien@bellsouth.net.
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