DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Course overview

FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES, AFFECTING AN ESTIMATED 10 MILLION PEOPLE EVERY YEAR; AS MANY AS ONE IN FOUR WOMEN AND ONE IN NINE MEN ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. VIRTUALLY ALL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WILL AT SOME POINT EVALUATE OR TREAT A PATIENT WHO IS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC OR FAMILY VIOLENCE. DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE INCLUDES ECONOMIC, PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN, ADULTS, OR ELDERS. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAUSES WORSENED PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, DECREASED QUALITY OF LIFE, DECREASED PRODUCTIVITY, AND IN SOME CASES, MORTALITY. DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE CAN BE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY. MANY CASES ARE NOT REPORTED TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OR LEGAL AUTHORITIES. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION, REPORTING, AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND STRESSES THE ROLE OF TEAM-BASED INTERPROFESSIONAL CARE FOR THESE VICTIMS.