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

ObjectiveWe 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsMost 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.ConclusionA 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 implicationsTalking 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.