In this episode, Dr. Amber Singh, an associate director with the VA OIG’s mental health team within the Office of Healthcare Inspections, discusses a published report on VHA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program. Her team conducted a national review of the program to evaluate implementation status and identify perceived barriers to compliance by surveying program coordinators and leaders. She shares how the team found over half of VHA facilities did not have the required program protocol, which may contribute to leader and staff confusion and lack of knowledge about the program’s roles, responsibilities, process, and procedures.

“Fifteen of the 25 coordinators we interviewed described screening as one of the most challenging aspects of IPVAP implementation. They explained to us that screening being optional and lack of staff buy-in due to other priorities in clinical care were barriers to routine screening. Some coordinators suggested screening should be considered.” – Dr. Amber Singh

Related Report: Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Implementation Status and Barriers to Compliance