A1 Journal article (refereed)
Intervening in domestic violence : interprofessional collaboration among social and health care professionals and the police (2022)

Notko, M., Husso, M., Piippo, S., Fagerlund, M., & Houtsonen, J. (2022). Intervening in domestic violence : interprofessional collaboration among social and health care professionals and the police. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 36(1), 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2021.1876645

JYU authors or editors

Notko, Marianne

Publication details

All authors or editors: Notko, Marianne; Husso, Marita; Piippo, Sisko; Fagerlund, Monica; Houtsonen, Jarmo

Journal or series: Journal of Interprofessional Care

ISSN: 1356-1820

eISSN: 1469-9567

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 03/03/2021

Volume: 36

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 15-23

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2021.1876645

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74521

Abstract

Encountering domestic violence victims, perpetrators and witnesses in the multiprofessional fields of health and social care and policing includes various challenges. Each professional group perceives domestic violence from its own perspective, linked to its position in the field, core tasks, institutional practices and organizational structures. In this study, we examine interprofessional collaboration among Finnish social and health care professionals and police officers, focusing on the practices and conceptions concerning domestic violence interventions. The data consists of 16 focus group interviews, involving a total of 67 interviewees from social and health care professions and the police. The results indicate that successful interprofessional collaboration requires comprehensive knowledge and education on domestic violence as a phenomenon, on the tasks and the duties of different professionals, as well as tolerance and flexibility in their joint efforts. However, the emphasis on professional relationships often shifts the focus from the institutional and structural challenges of interprofessional collaboration to individual interactions. Organizational barriers and differences in goals may impede good intentions from being materialized into concrete outcomes. These findings challenge all organizations and professionals working on domestic violence intervention to reconsider their training, practices and organizational arrangements.

Keywords: family violence; social work; social workers; public health service; health care personnel; organisations (systems); police (organisations); child protection; cooperation (general); multi-professionalism; resources; professional development; intervention; interagency cooperation