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Boston, MA – A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology highlights the potential of radiology in identifying victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) earlier in their healthcare journey. Conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Trauma Imaging Research and Innovation Center (TIRIC), the study aims to equip radiologists with the knowledge to recognize imaging and injury patterns associated with IPV.
The Prevalence and Hidden Nature of IPV
Intimate partner violence is a widespread issue, affecting over 40% of women in the United States over their lifetime. Disturbingly, IPV is a major contributor to female homicides both in the U.S. and internationally. Many victims seek medical care for injuries related to IPV but may delay or avoid reporting the abuse. This study underscores the importance of identifying these victims earlier to prevent repeated cycles of violence.
Study Goals and Approach
Led by co-first authors Patrick Lenehan, MD, Ph.D., and Anji Tang, MD, with corresponding author Bharti Khurana, MD, MBA, the research focused on comparing radiological imaging patterns between IPV-reported cases and non-IPV controls. The researchers retrospectively analyzed prior imaging studies, recording the type, anatomical location, and timing of injuries. The study also examined when and where these imaging studies were performed, including Emergency Department visits, overnight, and weekend consultations.
Key Findings
The research revealed several critical patterns distinguishing IPV cases from non-IPV cases:
- Increased Imaging Frequency: IPV victims underwent significantly more imaging studies than the control group, particularly during nighttime and weekend hours.
- Distinct Injury Patterns: Higher rates of radiologically evident injuries, particularly to the head, face, and thorax, were observed in IPV cases.
- Synchronous and Asynchronous Injuries: IPV victims were more likely to present with multiple injuries during a single clinical encounter (synchronous) and at separate visits (asynchronous), highlighting a pattern of repeated harm.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The study’s findings could revolutionize how IPV is detected in healthcare settings. IPV often goes unrecognized across multiple clinical visits, prolonging victims’ exposure to harm. By training radiologists to identify characteristic injury patterns and implementing artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled decision support tools, healthcare providers can intervene earlier and provide necessary support to IPV victims.
Future Directions
To maximize the impact of these findings, the Journal of the American College of Radiology will disseminate the research through continuing medical education (CME) programs. Additionally, the research team plans to develop AI-driven clinical decision support tools to help quantify IPV risk in real time, potentially revolutionizing IPV detection in radiology.
Research Team
The study was authored by Patrick Lenehan, MD, Ph.D., Anji Tang, MD, and Bharti Khurana, MD, MBA, alongside Mass General Brigham researchers Gaurav V Watane, Rahul Gujrathi, Hyesun Park, Babina Gosangi, Richard Thomas, Felipe Boschini Franco, Ilana Warsofsky, and Bernard Rosner. Additional contributions were made by Krishna Patel.
For more information, refer to the published study: Using Radiology as a Screening Tool to Identify Intimate Partner Violence, Journal of the American College of Radiology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2025.01.00.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Individuals experiencing intimate partner violence should seek support from medical professionals, law enforcement, or IPV support organizations.
