JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Effective collaborative practice among healthcare professionals is crucial for addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and therefore the development and evaluation of an evidence-based intervention for healthcare professionals is required to work towards meeting the key priorities of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. The consistency, modality and effectiveness of IPV focused education varies and some midwives lack the confidence to respond effectively to disclosures, often due to limited knowledge and skills. This issue is further amplified in interdisciplinary settings, where a lack of cohesiveness and collaboration can negatively impact the experience for pregnant women seeking or needing support.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to design, implement, and evaluate an evidence-informed, simulation-based, interprofessional education intervention to improve healthcare professionals’ collaborative response to intimate partner violence disclosures during the perinatal period in the South Australian maternity healthcare sector.

Methods:

This study adopts a pragmatic approach. An exploratory mixed methods research design will be used comprising of three phases: exploration, development and evaluation. Qualitative data will be collected first from interviews and focus groups. The qualitative data will inform the development of the educational program, whereby the effectiveness of the intervention in improving collaborative practice, including values and ethics, roles and responsibilities, communication, and teams and teamwork as defined by the IPEC competency standards, will be evaluated using quantitative survey data collected before and after implementation.

Results:

This study will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to inform the design and evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-based interprofessional workshop for health professionals.

Conclusions:

Simulation-based learning experiences are an effective teaching approach, as they enable healthcare professionals to apply theoretical knowledge in a controlled, practical environment. While IPV-focused curricula exist, this study aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of educational interventions designed to enhance collaboration within interdisciplinary teams in the context of IPV. Clinical Trial: not applicable