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Digital Education of Health Professionals on the Management of Domestic Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by the Digital Health Education Collaboration

Divakar, Ushashree; Posadzki, Pawel; Jarbrink, Krister; Bajpai, Ram; Ho, AHY; Campbell, James; Ho, Andy Hau Yan; Feder, Gene; Car, Josip; Nazeha, Nuraini

Digital Education of Health Professionals on the Management of Domestic Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by the Digital Health Education Collaboration Thumbnail


Authors

Ushashree Divakar

Pawel Posadzki

Krister Jarbrink

AHY Ho

James Campbell

Andy Hau Yan Ho

Gene Feder

Josip Car

Nuraini Nazeha



Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization states that 35% of women experience domestic violence at least once during their lifetimes. However, approximately 80% of health professionals have never received any training on management of this major public health concern.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of health professions digital education on domestic violence compared to that of traditional ways or no intervention.

Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from January 1990 to August 2017. The Cochrane Handbook guideline was followed, and studies reporting the use of digital education interventions to educate health professionals on domestic violence management were included.

Results: Six studies with 631 participants met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of 5 studies showed that as compared to control conditions, digital education may improve knowledge (510 participants and 5 studies; standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.67, 95% CI 0.38-0.95; I2=59%; low certainty evidence), attitudes (339 participants and 3 studies; SMD 0.67, 95% CI 0.25-1.09; I2=68%; low certainty evidence), and self-efficacy (174 participants and 3 studies; SMD 0.47, 95% CI 0.16-0.77; I2=0%; moderate certainty evidence).

Conclusions: Evidence of the effectiveness of digital education on health professionals’ understanding of domestic violence is promising. However, the certainty of the evidence is predominantly low and merits further research. Given the opportunity of scaled transformative digital education, both further research and implementation within an evaluative context should be prioritized.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 1, 2019
Publication Date May 23, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
Print ISSN 1438-8871
Publisher JMIR Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 21
Issue 5
Article Number ARTN e13868
Pages e13868 -e13868
DOI https://doi.org/10.2196/13868
Keywords domestic violence, health professionals, training
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.2196/13868