Injury report quality in cases of gender-based violence in the province of Pontevedra

• Published in: Spanish Journal of Legal Medicine 2021-07, Vol.47 (3), p.99-104
• Main Authors: Diéguez Méndez, Rebeca, Medrano Varela, Marta, Rodríguez Calvo, María Sol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Calidad; Gender violence; Injury reports; Intimate partner violence; Parte de lesiones; Quality; Violence against women; Violencia contra la mujer; Violencia de género; Violencia de pareja
• ISSN: 2445-4249; 2445-4249
• DOI: 10.1016/j.remle.2020.09.003

Gender violence is a health problem with legal consequences. Health professionals must notify these cases to the judicial authority through injury reports. The aim of this study was to analyse the quality of injury reports in gender-based violence cases, assessing whether the recommendations of health protocols are being followed. A retrospective study in a sample of 474 documents issued in cases with suspicion of gender-based violence was carried out. A scale was developed and applied to assess their quality. Most of the mandatory reporting documents were of medium quality. In 90% of cases data referring to medical staff, women and primary health care were reflected. Likewise, gender violence and the type of violence were specified in 80%. The most widespread deficiencies related to the history of abuse, which were only incorporated in 15% and reference to whether the patient came alone or accompanied in 9%. In addition, more than 72% of documents had abbreviations. The best injury reports were made in primary care facilities. The quality of injury reports is related to the structure of documents and their origin, highlighting the importance of having a standard document, as well as the need to improve training and awareness of health professionals. La violencia de género es un problema de salud con repercusiones jurídicas. Los/las profesionales sanitarios/as deben comunicarlo a la autoridad judicial a través del parte de lesiones. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar la calidad de los partes de lesiones elaborados en casos de violencia de género, valorando si se siguen las recomendaciones de los protocolos de actuación sanitaria. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en una muestra de 474 documentos emitidos en casos con sospecha fundada de violencia de género. Se elaboró y se aplicó una escala para valorar su calidad. La mayoría de los documentos tenían una calidad media. En el 90% de los casos se reflejaron datos referidos al personal facultativo, a la mujer y a la primera atención sanitaria. Asimismo, la especificación de violencia de género y el tipo de violencia se cumplimentaron en el 80%. Las deficiencias más extendidas estaban relacionadas con los antecedentes de maltrato, que solo se incluyeron en el 15%, y la referencia a si la paciente acude sola o acompañada, en el 9%. Además, el 72% de los documentos presentaban abreviaturas. Los mejor elaborados fueron los partes de lesiones procedentes de atención primaria. La calidad de los partes d