Assessing Primary Health Care Provider and Organization Readiness to Address Family Violence in Alberta, Canada: Development of a Delphi Consensus Readiness Tool

Abstract

AbstractBackground Family violence, which includes intimate partner abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse, is a serious public health concern. Primary healthcare (PHC) offers a vital opportunity to identify and address family violence, yet barriers prevent the effective implementation of Family violence interventions in PHC settings. The current paper aims to enhance family violence identification and response in Alberta's PHC settings by exploring readiness factors. Methods An integrated knowledge translation approach, combining implementation science and participatory action research, was employed to develop a readiness assessment tool for addressing family violence within PHC settings in Alberta. The research involved three phases: phase 1 encompassed a realist-informed rapid evidence assessment, phase 2 engaged a panel of healthcare experts to explore readiness components in the Alberta context, and phase 3 utilized a 3-round Delphi consensus-building process to refine indicators. Results Key findings from a rapid evidence assessment highlighted five main models/tools for assessing readiness to implement family violence interventions in PHC settings. In phase 2, additional concepts were identified through exploration with healthcare expert panel members, resulting in a total of 16 concepts for assessing family violence readiness within the Alberta context. The 3-round Delphi consensus-building process involved nine panelists, who collectively agreed on the inclusion of all concepts and indicators, yielding a total of 60 items for the proposed readiness assessment tool for addressing family violence in PHC within Alberta. Conclusion The current study lays the groundwork for future family violence intervention programs, offering insights into key components that promote readiness for implementing comprehensive programs and supporting PHC organizations in effectively addressing family violence.