Evaluating Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Education in MD and PharmD Training Programs at The University of Arizona: Seeking Improvement

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health crisis, and recognizing IPV in clinical settings can be challenging, requiring a specialized skillset. Gaps in health care professionals’ competency regarding IPV highlight the need for enhanced IPV education. This prospective cohort study assessed the extent and effectiveness of IPV education among medical (MD) and pharmacy (PharmD) students at The University of Arizona (UA), following an initiative through The UA College of Pharmacy that targeted increased IPV screening in rural Arizona pharmacies. After email recruitment, a two-part survey that assessed student perceptions of IPV and objective IPV knowledge was distributed to participants from January to February 2024. Planned comparisons evaluated the extent of IPV education, student readiness, and objective knowledge within and between the student cohorts. 164 students participated (144 MD, 20 PharmD) with no differences in demographics. MD students expressed higher confidence (p = 0.002) and received more education (p = 0.003) related to IPV than PharmD students. For MD students, positive correlations were found between education and confidence (r = 0.49, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.36, 0.61]), readiness (r = 0.63, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.52, 0.72]), and objective knowledge (r = 0.27, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.11, 0.42]). There were no significant correlations in the PharmD cohort. Overall, MD students exhibited greater preparedness in addressing IPV-related concerns compared to PharmD students. MD students also showed a consistent association between extent of IPV education and measures of preparedness. These findings highlight the importance of IPV education and serve to better understand the landscape of IPV curriculum across healthcare training programs, with the ultimate goal of preparing future clinicians to recognize and support IPV survivors across many clinical contexts.