Original article

The development of an assault patient questionnaire to allow accident and emergency departments to contribute to Crime and Disorder Act local crime audits

V Goodwin, J P Shepherd

Violence Research Group, Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine/University Dental Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XY

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to: Professor Shepherd

Objective—To evaluate and refine an assault patient questionnaire to facilitate the contribution of accident and emergency (A&E) departments to Crime and Disorder Act local crime audits.

Method—A brief nine item questionnaire was devised in collaboration with the authors of the Home Office British Crime Survey. A prospective sample of 46 consecutive assault patients who attended Cardiff Royal Infirmary A&E department were interviewed by either reception staff or triage nurses. The questionnaire was revised appropriately.

Results—The collection of information in A&E departments about the circumstances of violence was straightforward. Questions about motive for violence and about relationships between the injured and their assailants were problematic.

Conclusion—The collection of information relevant to Crime and Disorder Act crime audits was possible without extra resource. Receptionists were found to be the most appropriate staff to record information.

Keywords: assault patient questionnaire

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