Mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence to police: Views of physicians in California

Objectives. This study examined physicians' perspectives on mandatory repor ting of intimate partner violence to police. Methods. We surveyed a stratified random sample of California physicians pr acticing emergency, family, and internal medicine and obstetrics/gynecology . Results. An estimated 59% of California primary care and emergency physicia ns (n = 508, 71% response rate) reported that they might not comply with th e reporting law if a patient objects. Primary care physicians reported lowe r compliance. Most physicians agreed that the legislation has potential ris ks, raises ethical concerns, and may provide benefits. Conclusions. Physicians' stated noncompliance and perceived negative conseq uences raise the possibility that California's mandatory reporting law is p roblematic and ineffective.