Paper
Saturday, November 3, 2007
24
A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Intimate Partner Violence: Adapting a Successful Medical School Elective into a Service Learning Model for Nursing
Susan Marie Michalski, RN, MS, Domestic Violence Council of Greater Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| Learning Objective #1: review the existing medical elective to adapt this model as a community-based service learning model for nursing. |
| Learning Objective #2: understand intimate partner violence and the comprehensive nursing skills needed to implement a holistic approach for victims. |
Skilled nurses are critical for early identification, comprehensive assessment and appropriate intervention regarding intimate partner violence in order to reduce adverse health affects. According to a World Health Organization study, intimate partner violence is a major contributor to poor health which increases healthcare costs on many levels. Since 2003, the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council Training and Education Program has offered a medical elective on intimate partner violence for the fourth year medical student. To date, forty five students have completed this elective. Both area medical schools, Creighton and the University of Nebraska participate. There are five nursing schools in the surrounding metropolitan. This nationally recognized elective offers a comprehensive learning experience in a variety of related community settings. Didactic training and skill application are critical elements to understanding the need for interlinking support when caring for those victimized by intimate partner violence. Activities include a police ride along, shadowing advocates in the protection order office, attending a batterer intervention program and participating in an orientation at Offutt Air Force Base Family Advocacy Program. Students spend time at the various shelters and interact with the clients and staff. Students examine a standardized patient in an emergency room setting. Ultimately, the student provides expert witness testimony in a mock trial which takes place in an actual courtroom with a district judge presiding. This comprehensive program design can be easily adapted to a nursing educational model. The course outline provides flexible scheduling to accommodate a service learning experience. This presentation will illustrate the program development and course design with implementation and the evaluation tools necessary to translate this elective into a successful nursing model.