Introduction: Social determinant factors (SDF) have a profound effect on women’s ability to access healthcare in the context of domestic and family violence (DFV). Structural inequalities including socioeconomic status, education, or cultural background impact resources available to women; and perpetrator control can limit access to transport, finances and social support further hindering access to healthcare. This study engaged women with lived experience of DFV to explore the impact of SDF in the Australian context, including potential strategies to increase access to healthcare.

Methods: This qualitative study involved three focus groups with women with experience of DFV, conducted in Brisbane between June and December 2023. The first identified SDFs impacting healthcare access. The second introduced Levesque’s (2013) conceptual framework of access to healthcare and explored adaptations needed to better highlight the needs of women experiencing DFV. A graphic illustrator created the adapted framework, and feedback on its design and utility was sought during the third focus group.

Results:  Key factors impacting access to healthcare not identified in Levesque’s original access to healthcare framework included fear of losing children, fear of partner imprisonment, perpetrator manipulation, and perpetrator control. Findings were used to adapt the Levesque framework into one focused on highlighting the factors impacting access to care for women experiencing DFV.

Conclusion: Access to care for women experiencing DFV is extremely challenging. The adapted Levesque framework is intended to highlight these specific challenges and thereby improve access to care for women experiencing DFV. It is intended that the framework will inform health service design and health professional education.