How Doctors Deal With Domestic Violence And Abuse?

Victims of domestic violence or abuse are usually afraid, intimidated and forced to be discreet about their abuse.

When patients specially those who repeatedly show up in the clinic and with different type of injury each time, or show signs of panic or depression, it is advised to ask the patient directly if they are victims of any type of domestic violence?

Many hospitals develop their own protocol to deal with the increasing rate of domestic violence.

Once the patient admits they have been suffering from an abusive relation, you as a doctor should show support and belief in them to break the circle of isolation they live in.

Physicians should encourage victims to talk and have faith in their doctors and in the system that can help them from social workers and psychotherapists at associations concerned with such cases.

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