Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST)
Detects domestic abuse (intimate partner violence) in women in healthcare settings.
- This tool starts with the WAST-Short, which is used as a brief screening tool for intimate partner violence (IPV). If positive, additional questions are available to provide further insight into the patient’s condition.
- If the short form is negative, the clinical utility of asking further questions remains unclear.
Advice
- If abuse is disclosed:
- Validate the patient’s experiences and express concern.
- Tailor follow-up questions to the patient’s responses to encourage further disclosure.
- Assess the immediate safety of the patient and any dependents; develop a safety plan tailored to the patient’s needs.
- Document findings thoroughly in the medical record, following medico-legal requirements.
- Refer the patient to appropriate resources, such as shelters, hotlines, or counseling services.
- Schedule follow-up appointments to reassess and offer continued support.
- If no abuse is disclosed but concerns persist:
- Continue monitoring and consider revisiting the topic in future visits.
- Provide the patient with information about local support resources.
Critical Actions
Be familiar with local mandatory reporting requirements, as these vary by jurisdiction. Exercise particular caution in cases involving children or vulnerable adults.