Academic men's health: Case studies in clinical practice Intimate partner violence perpetration

Recent research has addressed ways to identify and treat male patients who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV). This phenomenon refers to the person who causes violence or abuse to be inflicted on a victim. A case study will be presented to illustrate a male patient at-risk for IPV perpetration. The goals of this review are to (1) define the prevalence of male patients who perpetrate IPV, (2) describe the pathophysiology and etiologies associated with IPV perpetration, (3) list the methods to diagnose and evaluate male patients who perpetrate IPV, and (4) understand the treatments for IPV perpetration. To meet these objectives, a systematic review of medical and allied health databases was conducted to analyze the case study presented. The prevalence of male primary care and emergency medicine patients who perpetrate IPV is 7-41%. The most widely used measurement tool to detect male IPV perpetration is the Conflict Tactics Scale. Most studies of IPV perpetrators have focused on associations with demographic factors, prior history of violence, mental health diagnoses, and substance use disorders. An 8-question screening tool is available to diagnose IPV perpetration, and at-risk patients should be evaluated for concurrent mental health and substance abuse problems. The most appropriate current treatment for IPV perpetration is referral to a batterer intervention program. An algorithm is presented to address screening, assessment, intervention, and documentation. The review concludes with the case progression and resolution. (C) 2009 WPMH GmbH. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.