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Cited by 10Telemedicine and Telehealth ImplementationIntimate Partner and Family ViolenceSexual Assault and Victimization Studies

Telemedicine and virtual healthcare for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence: A qualitative study

Open access
Mercier, Olivia, Parpia, Rabea, Presseau, Justin, Muldoon, Katherine A, Sampsel, Kari·2024·Women's Health
DOI 10.1177/17455057241252958PMC PMC11119373
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Abstract

Background: Survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence often face many challenges in seeking/receiving healthcare and are often lost to follow up. Objectives: Our study objectives are to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of using telemedicine technology among sexual assault and intimate partner violence patients who present to a Canadian Emergency Department. Design: Qualitative research was conducted using a thematic approach. Methods: Patients were identified from a case registry of all sexual assault and intimate partner violence cases seen between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022 from an emergency department of a large Canadian hospital. Qualitative trauma-informed interviews were conducted with consenting participants. Thematic qualitative analyses were performed to investigate barriers and drivers of telemedicine for follow-up care. Results: Of the 1007 sexual assault and intimate partner violence patients seen during the study timeframe, 180 (8%) consented to be contacted for future research, and 10 completed an interview regarding telemedicine for follow-up care. All participants were cisgendered women, 5 (50%) experienced sexual assault, 6 (60%) physical assault, and 3 (30%) verbal assault. All knew their assailant, and 6 (60%) were assaulted by a current or former intimate partner. Three themes emerged as drivers of telemedicine use: increased comfort, increased convenience, and less time required for the appointment. Three thematic barriers to telemedicine use included lack of privacy from others, lack of safety from their assailant, and pressure to balance competing tasks during the appointment. Conclusion: This study illustrated that telemedicine for sexual assault and intimate partner violence follow-up care is feasible, acceptable, and can improve patient satisfaction with follow-up care. Ensuring safety and privacy are key considerations when offering telemedicine as an appropriate option for survivors.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This qualitative study found telemedicine for follow-up care after an emergency department visit for sexual assault or intimate partner violence was feasible and acceptable to 10 survivors, with high satisfaction and preference for virtual care among most participants. Safety and privacy—especially from an assailant—were key barriers that must be addressed when offering telemedicine.

Key findings

  • Of 1007 SA/IPV patients seen, 180 consented to be contacted for research and 10 completed interviews; all participants were cisgender women, median age 30 years (18–57), 5 (50%) experienced sexual assault, 6 (60%) physical assault, and 3 (30%) verbal assault; all knew their assailant and 6 (60%) were assaulted by a current or former intimate partner.
  • All participants were able to use telemedicine for follow-up, nearly all by telephone; only one reported a solvable microphone issue. Most found telemedicine acceptable, felt safe during the appointment, and would choose it again.
  • Drivers of telemedicine use were increased comfort, increased convenience, and less time required for the appointment.
  • Barriers were lack of privacy from others, lack of safety from the assailant, and pressure to balance competing tasks during the appointment; some participants also reported dissatisfaction with medication follow-up or lack of forensic/community referrals.

Methods

  • Qualitative thematic study at The Ottawa Hospital emergency department, using a clinical case registry of SA/IPV cases seen between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022; 10 consenting participants completed trauma-informed interviews (12–51 min, average 28 min) via secure Microsoft Teams, without recounting the assault.
  • Interviews were transcribed verbatim, uploaded to NVivo, and thematically analyzed for feasibility, acceptability, satisfaction, and barriers/drivers; the interview guide was informed by COREQ, and clinical data were extracted from the registry.

Limitations

  • The paper states it lacked information on race, ethnicity, newcomer status, socio-economic status, and ability; participants likely differed from those who did not consent to contact, and groups with limited technology access, unstable housing, or living with their assailant were less likely to participate.
  • The paper notes that discussing follow-up care may have triggered emotional reactions, though researchers offered community support information after interviews.
  • Evident from the text: the sample was very small (n = 10), from a single Canadian emergency department, all cisgender women and English-speaking, limiting generalizability; self-selection into the contact registry and interview further constrains the findings.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/17455057241252958

Cites

26 of 26 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

9 of 20 cited sources checked · 5 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Only a fraction of survivors presents to the healthcare system for care following SA/IPV.

    “Despite the ongoing presence of SA/IPV, only a fraction of survivors presents to the healthcare system for care following SA/IPV.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [5] Johnson H. Improving the police response to crimes of violence against women: Ottawa women have their say. University of Ottawa Faculty of Social Sciences, https://arcs-atom.uottawa.ca/index.php/improving-the-police-response-to-crimes-of-violence-against-women-ottawa-women-have-their-say (2015, accessed 5 October 2022).

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [6] Amstadter AB McCauley JL Ruggiero KJ, et al. Service utilization and help seeking in a national sample of female rape victims. Psychiatr Serv 2008; 59(12): 1450– 1457. 19033173 PMC2735844 source

      The Results report that 38% of the sampled female rape victims had sought help from a medical doctor, supporting the point that only some sought medical help. But the Methods measure whether they had ever contacted a professional for emotional problems; it does not establish presentation for care following an assault, and the sample does not cover IPV survivors generally. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    The characteristics of patients who presented to the ED for SA/IPV during the pandemic do not differ from those who presented prior to the pandemic.

    “However, the characteristics of patients who presented to the ED for SA/IPV during the pandemic do not differ from those who presented prior to the pandemic.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] Muldoon KA Denize KM Talarico R, et al. COVID-19 pandemic and violence: rising risks and decreasing urgent care-seeking for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. BMC Med 2021; 19(1): 20. 33541357 PMC7861965 source

      The Results report that presenting cases were similar in age, sex, assault type, and location in the 2020 and 2018 comparison. But they also report significant increases in psychological abuse and assaults occurring outdoors, so the unqualified claim that patient characteristics did not differ is too broad. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Safety concerns specific to the survivor's assailant are consistently a major challenge as outlined recently in a study describing provider perspectives on experiences of IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Safety concerns specific to the survivor’s assailant are consistently a major challenge as outlined recently in a study describing provider perspectives on experiences of IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [30] Leigh JK Peña LD Anurudran A, et al. ‘Are you safe to talk?’ Perspectives of service providers on experiences of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Fam Violence 2023; 38: 215– 225. 35068672 PMC8759221 source
  • Findingown data

    Almost all participants felt personally and physically safe during the virtual follow-up appointment.

    “Importantly, almost all felt personally and physically safe during the virtual follow-up appointment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Nearly all participants used a telephone to complete the appointment.

    “All participants were able to use the telemedicine technology to attend their follow-up appointment, and nearly all participants used a telephone to complete the appointment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 18
  • May combine two claims. 30

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A scoping review of telemedicine used for counselling and psychotherapy with survivors of sexual violence highlights the major advantage of improved access to services.

    “A scoping review of telemedicine used for counselling and psychotherapy with survivors of sexual violence highlights the major advantage of improved access to services.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Leroux J Johnston N Brown AA, et al. Delivery of distance counselling to survivors of sexual violence: a scoping review of promising and best practices. Inquiry 2022; 59: 469580221097427. 35514077 PMC9082742 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There are concerns regarding safety, flexibility, anonymity, and providing survivors with choice for determining the best mode for care.

    “However, there are concerns regarding safety, flexibility, anonymity, and providing survivors with choice for determining the best mode for care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Leroux J Johnston N Brown AA, et al. Delivery of distance counselling to survivors of sexual violence: a scoping review of promising and best practices. Inquiry 2022; 59: 469580221097427. 35514077 PMC9082742 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There is emerging knowledge of the provider experience of using telemedicine to provide support to IPV survivors; however, there is a lack of data characterizing the IPV survivor experience of receiving care via telemedicine.

    “In addition, there is emerging knowledge of the provider experience of using telemedicine to provide support to IPV survivors; 20 however, there is a lack of data characterizing the IPV survivor experience of receiving care via telemedicine.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] Fatabhoy MG Zhu G Lajaunie A, et al. Intimate partner violence and telemedicine usage and satisfaction early in the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Board Fam Med 2023; 36(5): 755– 765. 37648405 source

      The citation follows the clause about providers’ experience, but our copy does not report providers’ experiences of using telemedicine to support IPV survivors. The Discussion instead reports survivors’ telemedicine use and satisfaction; a search for provider perspectives found no passage addressing the cited clause. (LLM, conf=0.72)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    While telemedicine has been adopted for the care of survivors of SA/IPV, studies demonstrated only preliminary evidence for feasibility and acceptability.

    “While it has been adopted for the care of survivors of SA/IPV, studies demonstrated only preliminary evidence for feasibility and acceptability.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [16] Miyamoto S Thiede E Dorn L, et al. The Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Telehealth (SAFE-T) Center: a comprehensive, nurse-led telehealth model to address disparities in sexual assault care. J Rural Health 2021; 37(1): 92– 102. 32511800 PMC7722006 source

      The Background and Conclusion report that prior sexual-assault telehealth programs demonstrated feasibility and acceptability, while noting gaps in the published evidence. The paper does not establish the same finding for intimate partner violence (IPV), so the claim's extension from SA to SA/IPV is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [17] Bloom TL Glass NE Case J, et al. Feasibility of an online safety planning intervention for rural and urban pregnant abused women. Nurs Res 2014; 63(4): 243– 251. 24977721 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Increased convenience as a driver of telemedicine use has been previously documented in the literature.

    “This study revealed that one important driver of telemedicine use is increased convenience, which has been previously documented in the literature.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] Polinski JM Barker T Gagliano N, et al. Patients’ satisfaction with and preference for telehealth visits. J Gen Intern Med 2016; 31(3): 269– 275. 26269131 PMC4762824 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Leroux et al. described several unanticipated therapeutic benefits of virtual counselling for this population, including how survivors felt more comfortable and in control in their own space and valued the flexibility the virtual appointments allowed.

    “Leroux et al. 18 described several unanticipated therapeutic benefits of virtual counselling for this population, including how survivors felt more comfortable and in control in their own space and valued the flexibility the virtual appointments allowed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Leroux J Johnston N Brown AA, et al. Delivery of distance counselling to survivors of sexual violence: a scoping review of promising and best practices. Inquiry 2022; 59: 469580221097427. 35514077 PMC9082742 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    10 of the 180 patients who consented to contact (5.56%) consented to be interviewed.

    “Of those, 180 (8%) patients consented to the patient programme to be contacted for research purposes, and 10 out of 180 (5.56%) patients consented to be interviewed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants noted SAPACP staff were caring and warm, which increased their feelings of safety and comfort.

    “Participants noted how SAPACP staff were caring and warm during their appointment, which increased their feelings of safety and comfort.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants described that the appointment stopped them from feeling forgotten, and the follow-up was thorough, timely, and caring.

    “Participants also described how the appointment stopped them from feeling forgotten, and the follow-up was thorough, timely, and caring:”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The median age of participants was 30 years (min 18, max 57).

    “All participants were English speaking, cisgendered women (biological females), and the median age was 30 years (min: 18, max: 57).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    No participants expressed discomfort with technology or challenges with Internet connection.

    “No participants expressed discomfort with technology or challenges with Internet connection.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    3 (30%) participants experienced verbal assault.

    “All participants were cisgendered women, 5 (50%) experienced sexual assault, 6 (60%) physical assault, and 3 (30%) verbal assault.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    All participants were cisgendered women.

    “All participants were English speaking, cisgendered women (biological females), and the median age was 30 years (min: 18, max: 57).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants described that their medical needs were met and that each process was explained well.

    “Participants described how their medical needs were met, and that each process (e.g. assessment of physical injuries) was explained well.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Only one participant noted challenges with telemedicine technology, but the issues were solvable and did not hinder their ability to complete the appointment.

    “Only one participant noted challenges with the telemedicine technology; however, they expressed that the issues encountered were solvable and did not hinder their ability to complete the appointment:”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    All patients presenting for a sexual assault were eligible for the SAEK and STI testing and completed them.

    “All patients presenting for a sexual assault were eligible for the SAEK and STI testing and completed them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants felt pressure to balance competing tasks during their appointment and had difficulty blocking time during work hours.

    “Participants also shared how they felt pressure to balance competing tasks during their appointment. Participants expressed difficulty blocking time during work hours to do a virtual medical appointment, and some struggled to attend their appointment outside of work hours:”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Some participants expressed dissatisfaction with the forensic care they received; no third-party referrals were made on their behalf.

    “However, some participants expressed dissatisfaction with the forensic care they received. These participants shared that no third-party referrals were made on their behalf:”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants noted lack of privacy from others due to the virtual nature of their follow-up appointment; some could not find a private place.

    “Participants often noted lack of privacy from others due to the virtual nature of their follow-up appointment. Some could not find a private place, either because of living with roommates or sharing an office with co-workers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants shared that less time was required for the telemedicine appointment compared to an in-hospital appointment without commuting, and it was easier to fit into a busy schedule.

    “Participants shared how less time was required for the telemedicine appointment as compared to an in-hospital appointment without commuting. In addition, participants noted that it is easier to fit a virtual appointment into a busy schedule, as time is saved:”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Survivors reported that it was convenient to have their follow-up via telemedicine and felt more comfortable discussing trauma in their home or other safe space.

    “Survivors reported that it was convenient to have their follow-up via telemedicine and felt more comfortable discussing trauma in their home or other safe space.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants felt increased comfort having their follow-up appointment virtually and could be more open at home in their safe space.

    “As trauma survivors, participants described how they felt increased comfort having their follow-up appointment virtually. When discussing traumatic experiences such as SA, participants felt they could be more open during the appointment if they were at home in their safe space:”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants described increased convenience of virtual follow-up, including increased difficulty leaving their safe space to attend an in-person appointment, making virtual appointments easier to attend.

    “Participants often described the increased convenience of having a virtual follow-up appointment. In addition, participants felt increased difficulty leaving their safe space to attend an in-person appointment following their assault. As a result, virtual appointments were easier to attend:”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Three major themes regarding drivers to telemedicine use emerged: increased comfort, increased convenience, and less time required for the appointment.

    “Three major themes regarding drivers to telemedicine use emerged: (1) increased comfort, (2) increased convenience, and (3) less time required for the appointment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Three major themes regarding barriers to telemedicine use emerged: lack of privacy from others, pressure to balance competing tasks during the appointment, and lack of safety from their assailant.

    “Three major themes regarding barriers to telemedicine use emerged: (1) lack of privacy from others, (2) pressure to balance competing tasks during the appointment, and (3) lack of safety from their assailant.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants described lack of safety from their assailant as a major barrier to the telemedicine format; one patient's assailant had tracking devices on her electronics, making virtual follow-up dangerous.

    “Participants also described how lack of safety from their assailant was a major barrier to the telemedicine format. One patient described how her assailant had tracking devices on her electronics, including Global Positioning System (GPS) and audio tracking on her cell phone. As a result, taking a virtual follow-up was dangerous:”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Overall, many participants felt satisfied with the support they were provided, felt the emotional care was thorough, and that staff were caring.

    “Overall, many participants felt satisfied with the support they were provided, felt the emotional care was thorough, and that staff were caring.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Some participants expressed dissatisfaction with the follow-up medical care they received; one participant prescribed medication for mental health reasons was dissatisfied with follow-up monitoring of effectiveness and side effects.

    “However, some participants expressed dissatisfaction with the follow-up medical care they received. One participant, who was prescribed medication for mental health reasons following her assault, was dissatisfied with the follow-up care to monitor the effectiveness and side effects of the medication.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    It is likely that the participants in this study will differ from those who did not consent to the hospital programme for contact or specifically those invited to take part in the study.

    “It is likely that the participants in this study will differ from those who did not consent to the hospital programme for contact or specifically those invited to take part in the study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Over three in ten Canadian women have been sexually assaulted at least once since the age of 15 years.

    “Sexual assault and intimate partner violence (SA/IPV) are prevalent in our society, and it is estimated that over three in ten Canadian women have been sexually assaulted at least once since the age of 15 years.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] Government of Canada SC. Gender-based violence and unwanted sexual behaviour in Canada, 2018: initial findings from the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2019001/article/00017-eng.htm (2019, accessed 20 October 2022).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    This study received ethical approval from The Ottawa Health Sciences Network Research Ethics Board (protocol no. 20200277-01H).

    “This study received ethical approval from The Ottawa Health Sciences Network Research Ethics Board (protocol no. 20200277-01H).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Telemedicine for SA/IPV follow-up care is feasible, acceptable, and can improve patient satisfaction with follow-up care.

    “This study illustrated that telemedicine for sexual assault and intimate partner violence follow-up care is feasible, acceptable, and can improve patient satisfaction with follow-up care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Often survivors are not aware of the available services, and social stigma can inhibit reaching out for help.

    “Often survivors are not aware of the available services, and social stigma can inhibit reaching out for help.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] Munro ML. Barriers to care for sexual assault survivors of childbearing age: an integrative review. Womens Health Doylestown 2014; 2(4): 19– 29. PMC4316731 25664329

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    The qualitative interviews guide was informed by the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) checklist.

    “The qualitative interviews guide was informed by the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) checklist.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Tong A Sainsbury P Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care 2007; 19(6): 349– 357. 17872937 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Telemedicine can be appropriate for survivors of SA who do not live with their assailant; however, caution is needed for survivors who currently live with their assailant, as the risks may outweigh the benefits.

    “Telemedicine can be appropriate for survivors of SA who do not live with their assailant; however, there are other accessibility, cultural, and personal factors that may make it inappropriate for some. Caution is needed for survivors who currently live with their assailant, as the risks may outweigh the benefits.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Telemedicine has shown consistent benefits related to improved follow-up broadly, remote monitoring for patients with chronic conditions, communication and counselling for chronic conditions, and psychotherapy for mental health.

    “Telemedicine has shown consistent benefits related to improved follow-up broadly, remote monitoring for patients with chronic conditions, communication and counselling for chronic conditions, and psychotherapy for mental health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [13] Bashshur RL Reardon TG Shannon GW. Telemedicine: a new health care delivery system. Annu Rev Public Health 2000; 21: 613– 637. 10884967 source
    • cites [14] Totten AM Womack DM Eden KB, et al. Telehealth: mapping the evidence for patient outcomes from systematic reviews. Report, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services, June 2016. 27536752

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [15] Agboola SO Bates DW Kvedar JC. Digital health and patient safety. JAMA 2016; 315(16): 1697– 1698. 27115372 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    It is possible that speaking about their assault follow-up care may have triggered a variety of emotional reactions for the participants.

    “However, it is possible that speaking about their assault follow-up care may have triggered a variety of emotional reactions for the participants.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    More than four in ten Canadian women have experienced some form of IPV in their lifetime.

    “Meanwhile, more than four in ten Canadian women have experienced some form of IPV in their lifetime.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] Government of Canada SC. Intimate partner violence in Canada, 2018: an overview. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2021001/article/00003-eng.htm (2021, accessed 20 October 2022).

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    It is likely that key groups including those with limited access to technology, unstably housed, and those living with their assailant would be less likely to participate in this study.

    “It is likely that key groups including those with limited access to technology, unstably housed, and those living with their assailant would be less likely to participate in this study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Telemedicine is an acceptable and feasible mode of health care for SA/IPV survivors.

    “The results of this study provide encouraging support for the use of telemedicine as an acceptable and feasible mode of health care for SA/IPV survivors, reflected by high levels of ease of use by participants and positive views towards future use.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    During the interview, participants were told they could skip any question they did not feel comfortable answering and if they needed to change the topic of conversation abruptly, they could use a safe word.

    “During the interview, participants were told they could skip any question they did not feel comfortable answering and if they needed to change the topic of conversation abruptly, they could use a safe word (e.g. coffee).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A study in the United States of survivors who used a national SA hotline reported that mental health, safety, and limited access to support services were the most pressing concerns for survivors.

    “A study in the United States of survivors who used a national SA hotline reported that mental health, safety, and limited access to support services were the most pressing concerns for survivors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [19] Elliott SA Bardwell ES Kamke K, et al. Survivors’ concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative insights from the national sexual assault online hotline. J Interpers Violence 2022; 38(1–2): NP84–NP107. PMC8960752 35341375 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Telemedicine can be a feasible and acceptable option for follow-up care after an ED encounter for SA/IPV.

    “Our study has shown that telemedicine can be a feasible and acceptable option for follow-up care after an ED encounter for SA/IPV.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    We used a multi-methods approach and extracted all assault-related information from their clinical charts and the case registry.

    “We used a multi-methods approach and extracted all assault-related information from their clinical charts and the case registry.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
44 of 44

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Stigma surrounding SA/IPV often keeps survivors from disclosing their experience and seeking care and support.

    “The stigma surrounding SA/IPV often keeps survivors from disclosing their experience and seeking care and support.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many survivors may feel traumatized by the event, leading to physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms that make it difficult to engage with services.

    “In addition, many may feel traumatized by the event, leading to a range of physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms that make it difficult to engage with services.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Not all SA/IPV cases involve life-threatening injuries, and survivors may not want to present to Emergency Departments for care.

    “As not all SA/IPV cases involve life-threatening injuries, survivors may not want to present to Emergency Departments (EDs) for care, although this is often the only place where forensic evidence can be collected for legal action.”
3 of 3

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • IPV survivor percentage conflicts with the table

    Major

    The results define IPV survivors as those assaulted by a current or former intimate partner and say they made up 40% of participants. Table 1 reports six of ten participants, or 60%, had a current or former intimate partner as their assailant.

  • SA survivor percentage exceeds the number reporting sexual assault

    Major

    The results say 60% of the ten participants were sexually assaulted by someone other than an intimate partner, but Table 1 reports only five participants who experienced sexual assault of any kind.

  • Consent-to-contact percentage is incorrect

    Minor

    Of 1007 patients, 180 consented to be contacted, which is 17.87%, not 8%. The same 8% figure also appears in the abstract.

    Reported 8 · recomputed 17.874876

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Munro ML., 2014, Womens Health Doylestown, 2, 19
  2. Temmerman M., 2015, Lancet Lond Engl, 385
  3. Bhatia RS, 2021, Can Med Assoc Open Access J, 9
  4. Elliott SA, 2022, J Interpers Violence, 38
  5. Ontario Telemedicine Network, 2018, OTN annual report 2017-2018

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Mercier, O., Parpia, R., Presseau, J., Muldoon, K. A., & Sampsel, K.
Affiliations
University of Ottawa (CA)
Corresponding author
Muldoon, Katherine A
ORCID
Venue
Women's Health
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2024-01
Volume
20
Pages
17455057241252958-17455057241252958
ISSN
  • 1745-5057 (ISSN-L)
  • 1745-5065
DOI
10.1177/17455057241252958
PMC
PMC11119373
OpenAlex
W4398787081
Semantic Scholar
dffda8019526695158898b905a45c93607ca3575
Cited by
10
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3
FWCI
3.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Women s Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization (TOH-20-005)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
  • Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Keywords
telemedicine, virtual care, sexual assault survivors, intimate partner violence, follow-up care, emergency department, feasibility and acceptability, patient satisfaction, privacy, barriers to telehealth, trauma-informed care
MeSH terms
Intimate Partner Violence, Adult, Canada, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Sex Offenses, Patient Satisfaction, Telemedicine, Survivors, Qualitative Research

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-21.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-21.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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