CERQual evidence profile table
| Summary of review finding | Studies contributing to the review finding | Assessment of methodological limitations by theme | Assessment of coherence | Assessment of adequacy | Assessment of relevance | Overall CERQual assessment of confidence in the evidence | Explanation of CERQual assessment |
| Connection through kindness and care | |||||||
| Kindness and empathy | Studies 2, 5, 7, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30 (16 studies) |
| No or very minor concerns about coherence (26 studies). The data reflected that kindness and care were central to women’s expectations of HCPs after disclosure of IPA. | No or very minor concerns about adequacy (26 studies) Sixteen studies contributed data and described a need for kindness, care, empathy and a feeling of being looked after. Fourteen studies contributed data and described the importance of respecting women, building trust between them and HCP. Nine studies contributed data on the importance of ongoing support and continuity of care. Based on an overall assessment of the richness and quantity of the data, we concluded that we had no or very minor concerns about data adequacy. | No or very minor concerns about relevance (26 studies) | High confidence | This finding was graded as high confidence as it is likely that the finding is a reasonable representation of women’s experiences and expectations after disclosure of IPA to a HCP. 26 studies with minor-moderate methodological limitations. No or very minor concerns about coherence and adequacy. |
| Trust & respect | Study 1, 3, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 29, 30 (14 studies) | ||||||
| Ongoing support/continuity of care | Studies 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 24, 28 (nine studies) | ||||||
| See the evil, hear the evil, speak the evil | |||||||
| Being heard and understood | Studies 1, 2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 29, 30, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31 (19 studies) |
| No or very minor concerns about coherence (28 studies). The finding highlights the critical importance of HCPs recognising and understanding abuse. Women across the studies emphasised the need for HCPs to make time to listen to them, even though they accepted that there were competing pressures and organisational barriers. | No concerns about adequacy (28 studies). Twenty-two studies contributed data on the importance of validating women’s experiences. Nineteen studies described how the HCP needs to 'really hear' what women are saying. Eight studies described a need to take time to listen to women. Eight studies identified the need for HCP to be non-judgemental. Eight studies described the need for raising awareness. Based on an overall assessment of the richness of the data and the quantity of the data, we concluded that we had no concerns about data adequacy. | No or very minor concerns about relevance (28 studies) | High confidence | This finding was graded as high confidence as it is likely that the finding is a reasonable representation of women’s experiences and expectations after disclosure of IPA to a healthcare provider. 26 studies with minor–moderate methodological limitations. No or very minor concerns about coherence and adequacy |
| Making time to listen | Studies 6, 7, 13, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26 (eight studies) | ||||||
| Being non-judgemental | Studies 1, 6, 7, 13, 17, 22, 26, 29 (eight studies) | ||||||
| Validating experiences | Studies 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 22, 26, 29, 3, 4, 14, 16, 6, 11, 18, 19, 23, 25, 13, 31 (22 studies) | ||||||
| Raising awareness/naming | Studies 5, 7,14,15, 26, 31, 27, 28 (eight studies) | ||||||
| Do more than just listen | |||||||
| Action and advocacy | Studies 10, 11, 15, 18, 19, 25, 30, 7, 12, 14, 16, 5 (12 studies) |
| No or very minor concerns about coherence (16 studies). The findings identified women greatly valued HCPs taking the time to listen and validate their experiences, a strong theme across included studies was the need for HCPs to provide practical support. | No or very minor concerns about adequacy (16 studies). Fourteen studies described a need to connect to other services. Twelve studies the need for HCP to take practical action to help women. Ten studies described it is important that doctor be guided by what women want. Four studies described the need for safety planning. Based on an overall assessment of the richness of the data and the quantity of the data, we concluded that we had no or very minor concerns about data adequacy. | No or very minor concerns about relevance (16 studies). | Moderate confidence | This finding was graded as moderate confidence as it is likely that the finding is a reasonable representation of women’s experiences and expectations after disclosure of IPA to a healthcare provider. 16 studies with minor-moderate methodological limitations. No or very minor concerns about coherence and adequacy. |
| Safety planning | Studies 2, 9, 10, 14 (four studies) | ||||||
| Response needs to match needs | Studies 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 26, 29 (10 studies) | ||||||
| Connect me to resources | Studies 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 15, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 23, 30 (15 studies) | ||||||
| Planting the right seed | |||||||
| My life is my own. | Studies 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 30, 27 (10 studies) |
| No or very minor concerns about coherence (16 studies). The findings emphasised the importance of the HCP facilitating choice and control for women, without feeling compelled to ‘fix’ their problems. Women felt strongly that they were the agents of their own lives, and that the HCP’s role was to provide options, encouragement and support rather than dictating what actions they should take. | No or very minor concerns about adequacy (16 studies). Ten studies described a focus on empowerment, women’s choice and control. Ten studies described the importance for the response to be sensitive to woman’s stage of readiness. Five studies recognised potential for power imbalance. Four studies contributed to women don’t want HCP to 'fix' things. Based on an overall assessment of the richness of the data and the quantity of the data, we concluded that we had no or very minor concerns about data adequacy. | No or very minor concerns about relevance (16 studies) | Moderate confidence | This finding was graded as moderate confidence as it is likely that the finding is a reasonable representation of women’s experiences and expectations after disclosure of IPA to an HCP. 16 studies with minor-moderate methodological limitations. No or very minor concerns about coherence and adequacy |
| Meet me where I'm at. | Studies 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 20, 30 (10 studies) | ||||||
| Power imbalance HCP/patient | Studies 10, 15, 20, 25, 17 (five studies) | ||||||
| You don't need to fix things. | Studies 5, 11, 14, 29 (four studies) | ||||||
CERQual, confidence in the evidence from reviews of qualitative research; HCP, healthcare provider; IPA, intimate partner abuse.