EXTERNALLY FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
HARMONY: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a whole of general practice intervention to prevent and reduce domestic violence among migrant and refugee communities
Background
Migrant and refugee victims of domestic violence (DV) are at grave risk of harm and murder and are under-identified in primary care.
Aim
The HARMONY partnership builds on evidence-based models of primary care DV responses, to trial an innovative intervention of culturally competent and safe care in general practices with significant numbers of migrant patients.
Methods
HARMONY is a cluster randomised controlled trial that aims to test the effectiveness of a primary care DV clinic systems intervention among migrant and refugee communities. Harmony aims to improve the capacity of primary care clinicians (GPs, nurses and others) to enquire about DV, provide first line support, including risk assessment and safety planning, and offer confidential referral to culturally diverse women patients. The study is being trialled in 20 general practice sites in regions of high South Asian immigrant population in Melbourne's north-west and south-east suburbs. It offers DV culturally competent training, jointly delivered by a GP educator and South Asian advocate educator to all clinic staff. The advocate then supports staff and patients in intervention clinics for 12 months. Outcome data is collected in anonymised and aggregated form from routine GP software and process and impact by interviews with clinic staff and women referred to In Touch, a multicultural DV agency.