Wife Assault: An Ontario Study of the Referral Routes of Urban and Rural Family Physicians

Abstract

This article describes the characteristics of the referral routes reported by Ontario family physicians for the diagnosis and treatment of wife assault in three different size communities. Respondents were family physicians practicing in the three Ontario sites, engaged in clinical family practice, and had emergency room work occupying less than 50% of their time. Physicians responded to a mailed self-report survey. The overall response rate was 82.3% (N = 505). The preferred referrals in all three communities were to crisis center/women's centers, social workers, women's shelters, and psychiatrists. Having attended continuing medical education was not associated with the preferred referral routes, although reading relevant literature was associated with referral routes in the rural community. Years in practice was associated with different referral routes in all three communities. Respondents reported necessary services being too far away in the rural communities and waiting lists being too long in all three communities. Qualitative information showed that distance and waiting times may preclude or limit the availability and utilization of community resources.