Asking men about domestic violence and abuse in a family medicine context: Help seeking and views on the general practitioner role

The previous systematic review identified twelve relevant primary-level qualitative interview and survey studies of the experiences of male victims of domestic violence and abuse.

“The systematic review also identified twelve relevant primary-level qualitative interview and survey studies of the experiences of male victims of DVA [16–27] (Table 4).”

Three studies recruited MSM (gay, bisexual and transgender men), five recruited heterosexual men, and four recruited men of diverse sexuality or did not specify sexuality.

“Three studies recruited MSM (gay, bisexual and transgender men),11 13 22 five studies recruited heterosexual men,14–18 and four studies recruited men of diverse sexuality or did not specify sexuality.12 18 20 21”

The searches identified 12 relevant qualitative studies.

“The searches identified 12 relevant qualitative studies (figure 1).11–22”

Preference for receiving help from a female professional was consistent theme across studies and settings.

“A preference for receiving help from a female professional was a consistent theme across studies and settings.11 15 18 20”

According to Morgan et al, pre-existing relationship with GP facilitates disclosures by men.

“According to Morgan et al a pre-existing relationship with the general practitioner facilitates disclosures by men.18”

Four included studies explored importance of perceived levels of crisis; none focused on MSM.

“Four studies explored the importance of the perceived levels of crisis; none of which focused on MSM12 17 18 20”

Family and friends were generally seen as positive source of support, associated with initial acknowledgement or later support.

“Family and friends were generally seen as a positive source of support whether that was associated with an initial acknowledgement or support further down the line.12 17 18 20”

Religious mentors were described as important resources because considered non-judgemental and trusted, although a participant in Morgan 2014 expressed doubts.

“Religious mentors were described as important resources because they were considered non-judgemental and could be trusted although a participant in the Morgan 2014 study expressed doubts.18”

Studies in healthcare settings suggested continuity of contact (care) was favoured by men.

“Studies in the healthcare settings suggested that continuity of contact (care) was favoured by men.11 18 20”

Review highlights crisis points as important trigger to help-seeking.

“Our review highlights crisis points as an important trigger to help-seeking.17 18 20”

In Morgan et al study, one man described initial police response supportive but no follow-up or signposting.

“In the Morgan et al study, one man described how although the initial response from the police was supportive, there was no follow-up or signposting to further services.”

Other men felt that general practice is a good place to disclose DVA and be referred, and that this process is facilitated by continuity of care and an individual approach by clinicians.

“Other men felt that general practice is a good place to disclose DVA and be referred, and that this process is facilitated by continuity of care and an individual approach by clinicans [16, 23, 25].”

There is a consistent theme that female professional help in referral is acceptable, if not preferable for male victims of DVA, with no comparable discussion around male professional help in these settings.

“There is a consistent theme that female professional help in referral is acceptable, if not preferable for male victims of DVA with no comparable discussion around male professional help in these settings [16, 20, 23, 25].”

Men reported that they had received valuable support from friends, family and colleagues at work, but not all men's accounts of accessing informal help were positive.

“Conversely, men reported that they had received valuable support from friends, family and colleagues at work. However not all men’s accounts of accessing informal help were not always positive [23].”

Professional interaction and continuity of contact (as in general practice) gives time for men to feel they can trust the professional and be comfortable in discussing their situation in more detail.

“The primary-level qualitative studies also report that professional interaction and continuity of contact (as in general practice), gives time for men to feel they can trust the professional and be comfortable in discussing their situation in more detail [16, 23].”

Men seemed to appreciate continuity of care from services, and to prefer disclosing to female professionals.

“Men seemed to appreciate continuity of care from services, and to prefer disclosing to female professionals [16, 18, 23].”

No specific routes of help were discussed by the men in the included studies, but there was a strong theme of the need for confidentiality and physical privacy in disclosing.

“No specific routes of help were discussed by the men in the included studies but there was a strong theme of the need for confidentiality and physical privacy in disclosing [16, 20, 23, 25].”