Family violence education for post-graduate psychology trainees: a longitudinal mixed-method survey evaluating self-reported knowledge and confidence levels

To evaluate the impact of a 3-h interactive seminar on family violence clinical response on post-graduate psychology trainee knowledge and confidence levels. A longitudinal, mixed-methods survey evaluation. The Assisting Patients/Clients Experiencing Family Violence: Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinician Survey was completed at pre-training (<i>n</i> = 143), post-training (<i>n</i> = 94) and follow-up (9–12 months; <i>n</i> = 53). This tool collects both quantitative and qualitative data. The training intervention was an interactive seminar provided by experienced clinician/trainers on family violence identification and response skills. Quantitative Skillings-Mack analysis and qualitative inductive content analysis were used. Family violence clinical response knowledge and confidence significantly improved post-training, as well as knowledge of indicators, asking clients about family violence, and responding to disclosures. This was largely maintained over medium-term follow-up (9–12 months). Qualitative responses indicated the depth and breadth of participants’ knowledge increased over time, as well as their understanding of the clinical complexity and support required to assist clients effectively. Providing education in family violence clinical response improved self-reported knowledge and confidence levels in post-graduate psychology trainees. Education provision during training is likely to improve readiness to respond and specific family violence skills in new psychologists entering the workforce. <b>What is already known about this topic:</b>Family violence is common in Australian society and conveys a high burden of physical and mental health consequences (including brain injury).Clinical Neuropsychologists report low knowledge levels in this area, and little is known about family violence clinical skills levels in the broader psychology workforce.Training in family violence clinical response skills is not currently a mandatory curriculum component in Australian post-graduate psychology training courses. Family violence is common in Australian society and conveys a high burden of physical and mental health consequences (including brain injury). Clinical Neuropsychologists report low knowledge levels in this area, and little is known about family violence clinical skills levels in the broader psychology workforce. Training in family violence clinical response skills is not currently a mandatory curriculum component in Australian post-graduate psychology training courses. <b>What this study adds</b>: Training via a 3-h interactive seminar resulted in improvements in self-reported family violence knowledge in post-graduate psychology trainees (consisting of clinical neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and professional psychology Masters and Clinical Doctoral trainees) from three universities.Improvements were maintained most strongly over medium-term follow-up in the areas of family violence knowledge, confidence working in the area, knowledge of indicators, enquiry skills, and responding to disclosures.Qualitative data analysis also indicated that the depth, breadth, and sophistication of trainees’ knowledge of key family violence clinical response skills improved over time. Training via a 3-h interactive seminar resulted in improvements in self-reported family violence knowledge in post-graduate psychology trainees (consisting of clinical neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and professional psychology Masters and Clinical Doctoral trainees) from three universities. Improvements were maintained most strongly over medium-term follow-up in the areas of family violence knowledge, confidence working in the area, knowledge of indicators, enquiry skills, and responding to disclosures. Qualitative data analysis also indicated that the depth, breadth, and sophistication of trainees’ knowledge of key family violence clinical response skills improved over time.