# Caring for Women Experiencing Gender-Based Violence: A Qualitative Study from the Nursing Experience

## TL;DR

This study explores how nurses in emergency services care for women experiencing gender-based violence, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and empathetic approaches.

## Contribution

The study highlights specific nursing strategies for addressing risk and vulnerability in gender-based violence cases.

## Key findings

- Nurses emphasized empathy, education on abuse recognition, and multidisciplinary actions in their care approach.
- Comprehensive care included screening, follow-up, and measures to prevent re-victimization.
- Multidisciplinary coordination and patient privacy were identified as essential components of effective care.

## Abstract

Gender-based violence is a social problem that affects the health of women in all countries, cultures, ages and economic status; its complexity requires a transdisciplinary approach. However, this study will emphasize the care provided by nursing in emergency services. Objectives: To explore the experiences of nursing professionals in the emergency area in relation to the approach to gender-based violence considering care management skills. Methods: A qualitative study with semi-structure interviews was conducted; the saturation was reached with the participation of 20 nursing professionals from emergency rooms. The study employed qualitative content analysis and the software QCAmap for organization and extraction of analysis. Results: The category called “Specific Approaches to Risk and Vulnerability” was characterized by its comprehensiveness, evident in its association with experiences in screening, follow-up, measures to prevent re-victimization, and ensuring privacy. The most relevant subcategories, based on the redundancy, were empathy, which encompasses affective aspects; education on forms of abuse not recognized by the victim; and multidisciplinary and multisectoral action to address patients’ needs effectively. Conclusions: Nursing professionals valued both the psychological and physical aspects of patients, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary coordination and the protection of integrity. Awareness and offering help are key interventions during the activation of protocols for addressing gender-based violence.