Screening for Family and Intimate Partner Violence: Insufficient Evidence

The third U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been releasing new and updated guidelines during the past 3 years (guidelines homepage; Journal Watch May 15 2001; and Journal Watch Mar 26 2004).

USPSTF 3 concludes each of its guidelines with a recommendation, graded as follows:

A -- The intervention is strongly recommended.

B -- The intervention is recommended.

C -- The USPSTF makes no recommendation for or against the intervention.

D -- The intervention is not routinely recommended.

I -- Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the intervention.

The USPSTF has found insufficient evidence to support screening in the following groups: parents and guardians (for child physical abuse or neglect), women (for intimate partner vio…