Simplifying physicians' response to domestic violence

* Defining and limiting physicians' role in intervening with victims of domestic violence increases their effectiveness * Physicians should ask patients about abuse; validate that battering is wrong; document signs, symptoms, and disclosures; and refer victims to domestic violence specialists (AVDR) * With this approach, physicians' time in providing patients quality care is greatly reduced * An AVDR approach to domestic violence could be integrated into managed care delivery systems * Universal screening, identifying risk factors, validating patients, and documenting abuse will help prevent further abuse * We are alt responsible for solving the problem of domestic violence
Physicians are called on, through guidelines such as those published by the American Medical Association in 1992,[1] to play a large role in identifying, intervening in, and following up on [...]