Evaluation & the Health Professions, 1998, 21(1): 91-119

This article discusses the formative and process evaluations that were undertaken for a pilot intervention of an emergency department protocol of care for abused women. It is part of an overall study that aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention aimed to improve the response of health care professionals to women abused by their partners, specifically in the areas of identification, treatment, and referral (see Fanslow, et al, 1998, for the results of the outcome evaluation of the pilot intervention). A discussion of key factors that were relevant in the development and implementation of the intervention are given. This includes the social context, planning and decision-making processes, appropriateness for the setting, and level of support from key stakeholders. It was noted that the effectiveness of the intervention included its appropriateness for women who present with abuse and its responsiveness to specific hospital, department, and staff needs. The authors suggest that the intervention, if taken to other settings, could be adapted by those stakeholders according to the local context. It was concluded that the emergency department intervention was appropriate for hospital staff use. However, the findings also suggested that further enhancement of the intervention could be achieved by consulting with abused women who present to emergency departments, and minority groups. Record #3344