In Harm's Way: A Critical Examination of Emergency and Medical Personnel’s Readiness to Handle Potentially Lethal Domestic Violence Incidents"

This phenomenological study investigated the preparedness of emergency and medical personnel (EMPs) in New York City to respond to potentially lethal domestic violence (DV) incidents. The research aimed to identify knowledge gaps, competencies, and skills necessary for effective DV response, examining the impact of education on EMP’s experiences and their recommendations for improvement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical physicians to capture their lived experiences with DV intervention. The study revealed limited and inadequate support in DV intervention, the complexity of DV situations necessitating a multidisciplinary approach, challenges in coordinating resources across sectors, and the need for comprehensive training addressing interconnected societal factors. This research contributes to the literature by providing first-hand insights from EMPs, highlighting the often-overlooked perspectives of firefighters and emergency medicine physicians. The findings inform policy leaders and training developers on first responders' and physicians' competencies and training needs to address DV situations, ensure safety, and improve intervention practices. The study underscores the importance of enhancing EMP effectiveness in DV responses to improve the overall health and well-being of those impacted by potentially lethal DV incidents. Recommendations include developing comprehensive, multidisciplinary training programs and improving resource coordination across sectors to equip EMPs to address DV situations.