AI tool predicts patients at risk of intimate partner violence
AI tool predicts patients at risk of intimate partner violence
Publish Date: 2026-04-28 13:57:00
Source Domain: www.nih.gov
April 28, 2027
At a Glance
- A new artificial intelligence tool can predict patients who are likely to experience intimate partner violence years before they seek help.
- The tool may eventually help health care providers identify patients at risk of intimate partner violence and provide early interventions.
The tool could help clinicians more quickly connect patients with resources and support.
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Each year millions of people in the United States experience intimate partner violence, or IPV. IPV refers to abuse from current or former spouses and partners. It can lead to life-threatening injuries, chronic pain, and mental health conditions. Many people who experience IPV do not tell health providers because of safety concerns, fear, and stigma.
Current screening tools identify only a fraction of IPV cases and often rely on patients to self-report. Recognizing IPV cases early allows for timely intervention to prevent long-term health consequences.
An NIH-funded research team, led by Dr. Bharti Khurana of Mass General Brigham, developed and tested an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to predict patients at risk of IPV. A description and evaluation of the tool was published March 13, 2026, in npj Women’s Health.
The researchers used a type of AI called machine learning to develop three computer models that could predict IPV. They developed the models using electronic medical records from 841 patients enrolled in a domestic abuse intervention and prevention center. Records from another 5,212 non-IPV patients of similar ages and backgrounds were included for comparison. One model used structured patient data in tables, while the second used unstructured patient data from medical notes. The third model incorporated both data types.
The…
